In the West Lancashire Cross-Country Championships, Wallasey Athletic Club had only four senior athletes competing.
The course at Clarke Gardens, Liverpool was nine miles a distance that frightened most of the local runners. As well as the distance the ranks were rather depleted from injuries, holidays and work commitments.
Dave Lindsay, the club's leading runner in recent weeks, was forced to give the meeting a miss with achilles tendon trouble.
In his absence John Wright was the club's first, runner home in 19th position in a better time (51 min. 29 secs.) than his position suggests, a little over two minutes behind the winner Ron Barlow (Sutton Harriers).
Mike Teahan was the next Wallasey runner home in 36th place his best ever performance in the race, but still over five minutes behind the winner, finishing in 55 min. 26 secs.
Mike Whiteside still well below true form, finished 43rd. (57 min. 23 secs.) and Robin Tarrant very unhappy over the long course, 59th. Numbers in the younger age groups were equally disappointing. Best performance was from Bob Brimage in the youths' race, finishing 9th.
In the colts' race, Eddie Kane finished 32nd, one place ahead of his brother Brian in the boys' race.
Today the club is holding a sealed handicap from the clubhouse at 3 p.m.
In this type of handicap the handicaps are calculated before the event, but kept from the competing athletes, who all set off together.
At the finish their handicaps are taken from their actual time to find the winner.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 06/02/1971
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