Wallasey Athletic Club made a dash down the M6 last Sunday, May 9th, to compete in the Coventry Godiva Harriers promotion held at Leamington Spa Stadium.
The stadium, set in a bowl surrounded by high trees and hedges, was very hot and fast times for the sprints were anticipated.
Distance, runners were not so lucky as the searing heat bore down and slowed them up.
Many northern clubs made the trip, Warrington A.C. and Hickleton Main among them. Val Peat of Hickleton Main scored a double in the 100 and 200 metres senior women's events, but strong running in the junior girls, by Wallasey's Lynda Jenkinson, saw her through to the semi-final in 13.4 seconds. Her final time was the same.
The senior men's events were highlighted for Wallasey by their sprint stars, Tim Guest and Keith Sorrell. Both stormed into the finals of the 100 metres and 200 metres, by great strength of running. Keith Sorrell came second in the 100 metres final with Tim Guest, fifth amidst the class of the Midlands athletes.
The 200 metres saw the same two in the third and fourth position in 23.3 and 23.4 seconds respectively. A good result for a first outing. The senior 800 metres heats saw Wallasey's Pete Jones succeed to the final and his heat time of 2 minutes 1 second was a personal best.
Doug Hanna in the second heat managed sixth in 2 minutes 7.4 seconds but was eliminated from the final. This was a first race
after a prolonged layoff from racing, due to an injury sustained last year.
The junior girls ran well in their 800 metre in heat.
Joanne Macdonald 2 minutes 41 seconds and 2 minutes 55 seconds for Carole Jenkinson.
Julie Halfpenny made the trip from Oxford University for the 400 metres and finished fourth in 65.5 seconds.
Kevin McGee, Keith McAlister, Phil Ashley, Rick Hemmings, Paul Delap, Dave Southern gave of their best in the 1500 metre youth race. Rick Hemming whilst leading in his heat, was assisted from the track bearing the marks of his fall.
He quickly recovered and no doubt will be fit for the Cheshire men's championships to be held in Hartford next Sunday, May 16th.
Merseyside women's championships are at Kirkby Stadium this Saturday, 15th May. Many people who might be anxious to join the Wallasey club should ring 639 0296 for details those who would prefer to run with veterans should ring 639 3217.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 15/05/1976 by C.R.H.
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