Wallasey Athletic Club just failed to take one of the premier positions in the Cheshire Road Relay Championships held at Altrincham over a very fast 3-mile course.
On paper the team looked much stronger than the team entered in the Northern Road Relays two weeks ago, with the return of captain John Wright and Phil Wealthy. Unfortunately, illness kept Dave Hughes out of the team.
Dave Lindsey led of the Wallasey assault, returning home 30 yards up on the second team, Stoke A.C., recording a time of 17 mins. 41 secs., an excellent run, also on good form was Doug Hanna, running for Wallasey 'B' who returned home in sixth place with a time of 20 mins. 04 secs.
For the 'A' team, Phil Wealthy, was next off, but after a two-week enforced rest through injury was unable to maintain the position, dropping to fifth place in 19 mins. 17secs.
Dave Lockley set off determined to pull back on the leaders, returning one of the fastest times of the day, 17 mins. 02secs., and bringing the team to third.
John Wright was then left in the unenviable position of being 50 yards up on European Games medallist Alan Blinstone (Altrincham and District A.C.). Although John ran well, Blinstone came through to third place. Mike Whiteside, not so happy, over the short distance, could not regain third; finishing in 18 mins. 58 secs., and with the team out of touch, Mike Teahan had little hope of catching anyone, returning in 20 mins. 04 secs., to give Wallasey fourth.
For the 'B' team, Barrie Smith, still not at his best, recorded 20 mins. 06secs. Carl Gee 21 mins. 15 secs., Robin Tarrant 21 mins. 37 secs, Len Durkin 19 rnins. 45 secs., and John Lynch 22 mins. 16 secs. to give the team seventh place.
Stoke A.C. ran out winners from Wirral A.C. and Altrincham and District A.C.
In the youth's race over the same course, Bob Brimage ran well enough to suggest a position in the senior 'A' team for today's Sefton Park Road Relays, recording 18 mins. 45 secs, sufficiently far ahead of the field not to be too pushed.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 24/10/1970
Ref 1590