There was much disappointment at Wallasey A.C. headquarters last Saturday when it was learned that K. Westmore the Liverpool University captain and club member, had decided not to compete in the championship.
Feeling the effects of several months hard running, he had determined to take a rest for a few weeks before the opening of the track season. As a result of his withdrawal, the individual title was almost a certainty for J. Edwards, last year's champion.
Mr. Brookes, a vice-president of the club, got the runners away to a good start about 3.45 and for the first half mile W. Richardson led at a fast pace from N. Marples and D. Grisdale. He could not maintain this position, however, and had to relinquish the lead to J. Edwards, who came up quickly from an unfavourable place at the start of the race. Round the golf links and across the marshes, Edwards led with Marples close on his heels. Slowly the gap between these two runners and the third man widened.
Up the road to the Bidston Church, Edwards managed to get ahead of Marples, and running magnificently, he was never again challenged. Along the Upton footpath for a short distance; then away to the right in a wide loop nearly to Upton village, returning via the footpath to rejoin the first part of the course; down the road from Bidston Church, over the footbridge and across the marshes once more to Leasowe Road for the quarter mile run in. Edwards steadily increased his lead and at the end was a good 300 yards ahead of the second man.
Though his victory was thus gained, very easily, and he had not to extend himself seriously, his time of 46 minutes 53 sec. for the eight mile course, represents a very fine effort. This is the third successive year that Edwards has won the Wallasey A.C. Championship and there is no doubt that he fully deserves his success. Not only has he been the club's outstanding runner throughout the season, but he has also set a splendid example to the other runners of what can be done by hard and consistent training. A few years ago he was regarded as a very mediocre athlete and could hardly obtain a place in the Wallasey team. By sheer determination, however, he has made himself one of the best cross-country runners on Merseyside.
In second place in the race, N. Marples, the junior captain, ran well to return a time of 47 minutes 32 seconds. After his effort to hold Edwards on the marshes, he kept a steady pace and finished quite fresh nearly two minutes ahead of the third man home.
This position was closely contested. For a long period it was fought out between W. Richardson, D. Grisdale and P. Watson. After four miles, these runners were still bunched together with J. Williams close behind. Then Grisdale began to get away and a mile further, on the Upton footpath, he had a lead of about 100 yards on Richardson, while Williams had moved up into fifth place. At this stage, Davis and Cunningham were running 7th and 8th well behind Watson, with Peers 9th. (In justice to the last named it must be said that he had fallen behind with 'stitch' or he would doubtless have been challenging the leaders).
Over the marshes for the second time, Grisdale increased his pace and finished in fine style down the road third in the race - a very satisfactory performance for a junior runner and one that marks him out for future athletic distinction. Meantime, Richardson had begun to tire, and in the last mile he was overhauled by Williams who gave one of his best displays to date. Watson also was coming up very strongly and on the quarter mile run in he passed Richardson and all but caught Williams. In view of the leg injury that has troubled him for several months, Watson had good reason to be pleased with his showing.
Though unplaced in the first three in the race, Watson and Williams had the satisfaction of winning the sealed handicap. Their handicap times were the same but in the draw for the first prize, the former was successful.
Results:
1. J. Edwards (46 min. 53 sec.)
2. N. Marples (47.32)
3. D. Grisdale (49.33)
4. J. Williams (50.48)
5. P. Watson (51.3)
6. W. Richardson (51.22)
7. J. Cunningham (51.43)
8. J. Davis (51.52)
9. C. Peers (52.1)
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 26/03/1938
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