The last few weeks have seen an increase in the stamina work carried out by members of the Wallasey Athletic Club.
This is much needed work if athletes are to improve their all-round staying power over both cross-country courses and around the athletic track next summer.
Both the women's section and the men's section have been competing recently, this competition serving as a guide to fitness and a pointer to training to be done in the future.
The most recent competition for the women was the Merseyside Road Relay Championships held at the Wavertree Playground. Three teams covering three age groups were entered and performed up to and above the expected standard. The minor girls, 11 and 12 year-olds, ran 2000m each, the team consisting of four, runners and finished, eventually 8th. The intermediate girls, under 15's, ran 3000m each, the team having three runners and finishing 3rd. This leaves the senior team to run 3000m each, still with a team of three, which finished 4th. Special mention ought to be made of Marie Henry and ladies' captain Barbara Jones, who both finished 1st in their respective races with a fine display of running which goes to emphasise the ever increasing strength and build-up of the female section.
The first outing for the clubs male section was last Saturday. Unlike the female section whose cross-country championships start before Christmas with the Cheshire cross-country championships on January 5th. Consequently the competitive season starts slightly later and did so last weekend with the first of three Liverpool & District cross-country league races.
This was held from the Stanney Comprehensive School in Ellesmere Port in extremely muddy conditions. The deep, sticky mud clung to everything and it wasn't long before each runner was carrying a couple of extra pounds around on their feet. A firm foot purchase was next to impossible whether the athlete was wearing 'flats,' 'studs,' or 'spikes,' and the course became a test of strength and stamina.
The course, muddy, twisting, and in parts, dangerous, gave the coaches of the various athletes an ideal opportunity to gauge their athletes', state of fitness and a pointer towards the effec-tiveness of the training since the end of the track season last September.
Rob Peckham, a fairly new club athlete and Rick Perry, ran extremely well in the conditions and show early promise of a good season. Performing as well as expected were newcomers Vince Peligrino and Mike Perry, but one felt that, had the course been a more accessible spectator course they, and others, would have worked and performed even better. Showing early encouraging form were Kevin McGee and Pete Jones with Bob Brimage performing slightly below his expectations. Still, all in all, an encouraging day with few, if any, surprises.
Wallasey Athletic Club is always ready to accept new and interested members of any age over 11 years and either sex. Why not come down to St. George's Middle School on a Tuesday evening. You will find us in the 'boys' gym nearest the motorway; from 6.45 p.m.
RESULTS
WOMEN'S ROAD RELAYS
Minor girls (4 x 2000m ) - Jennifer Jones 10th. 9 min 41 sec.: Sheila Rae 10th, 9 min 26 sec.: Maxine Butterly, 10th. 9 min. 42 sec.: Sherilee White. 8th. 9 min. 31 sec.
Inter girls (3 x 3000m.) - Marie Henry, 1st. 12 min 10 sec.: Helen Walker 5th 15 min 27 sec.; Siobohn Power 3rd. 13min 35 sec.
Senior girls (3 x 3000 m) - Barbara Jones, 1st. 12 min 46 sec.: Christine McGee, 4th. 17 min. 38 sec: Anne Brimage, 4th 14 min. 07 sec.
1st L & D League
Colts (2 miles approx.) - Rob Peckham, 20th. 13.03: Rick Perry, 31st, 13.55: Vince Peligrino, 36th. 14.47.
Boys (2½ miles approx.) - Mike Perry. 29th. 17.00: Mike Jones, 36th, 17.44; Brian Henry, 41st. 19.37.
Youths (3½ mile approx.) James Roberts, 21st 22.34.
Seniors (5½ mile approx.) - Kevin McGee, 14th 31.42: Bob Brimage. 30th, 33.09: Pete Jones, 51st 34.51: Neil Tunstall 105th, 39.05; Paul Heaney, 113th. 41.40; Clive Uttley, 117th, 44.25.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 10/11/1979
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