Wallasey Athletic Club competed in the Burtonwood 4x4 mile road relay last Saturday.
Out of around 170 teams taking part, the 'A' team finished 48th the 'B' team 95th and the 'C team 117th.
The fastest leg of the relay came from Alek Boughey who ran a superb time of 19 minutes 21 seconds, to put the 'A' team up 20 places from 68th position, over the final leg.
Alek had six days previously run in the Mersey Marathon which was his debut over that distance. He started very slowly but picked up during the second half of the race to record a reasonable time of three hours 10 minutes.
Just behind Alek in the marathon had been Gordon Rowe, with a time of three hours 11 minutes. After 20 miles Gordon had been on schedule to finish comfortably inside his target of three hours, but he suffered from leg trouble and slowed over the final six miles. His relay time was more pleasing however as running for the 'C' team, he was faster than two members of the 'B' team when recording 21 minutes 23 seconds, gaining nine places on the fourth leg.
Other good performances at Burtonwood came from Bob Phillips and Ken Gibbon who between them pulled the 'B' team from 136th to 99th over the second and third legs. Bob Phillips, who invariably does run well in road relays was fifth fastest overall with 20:58. while Ken was, sixth fastest with 21:18.
Most successful Wallasey runner in the Mersey Marathon was Sue Knight, who reduced her personal best by more than 15 minutes, in recording three hours 38 minutes.
Full relay results - 'A' team: B. Brimage, 20:04; P. Lonsdale,
20:40; D. Baxter 20:24; A. Boughey, 19:21
'B' team: P. Smith, 21:56; B. Phillips, 20:58; K. Gibbon. 21:18; D. Pendleton, 21:38.
'C' team: A. Johnson, 22:08; P. Griffiths,
22:15; S. Williams, 22:35; G. Rowe 21:23. 'D' team: A. Muir,
22:05; L. Attwell, 23:07.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Thursday, 04/10/1984 by J. Downey
Ref 2008