Mather first home
Eighteen runners competed in the handicap Wallasey Athletic Club's "Sealed Handicap" race last Saturday run over the traditional 3½ miles "Christmas Handicap" course comprising 1½ miles of Leasowe Road for the outward run ; and a return 2 miles of the Embankment, Leasowe shore and the sandhills. The biting wind did nothing to detract from the enjoyment of the race.
A group of seniors soon went into the lead and it became apparent that from these, John Young, Kevin Mather and Brian Chalton, would be the first man home. The rest of the field found the start too fast for them and had to settle down to their optimum pace before half a mile had been covered.
Despite the unfavourable conditions some respectable times were recorded and Kevin Mather proved just two seconds faster than Brian Chalton in getting to the 'tape' first in 17 mins. 50 secs., with John Young coming in third in 18.32.
Fourth man home was Alan Bell, who ran a 'stormer' to take 39 secs, off his Christmas Handicap time, whilst 5th home was new member John Hughes in 19.04. David Field finished 6th in 19.55 and an improved David Burns 7th in 20.08. John Lynch recorded 20.32 in finishing 8th (an improvement of 75 secs, on his last outing).
Coming in 9th and 10th, Les Watcham and Dave Adair both showed good form in being timed at 20.41 and 20.48 respectively, but Mike Teahan had an off day, 11th in 21.31, this being nearly 2 mins, slower than his best time for the course.
Tony Parry was 12th in 21.39 and Robin Tarrant 13th in 22.30, whilst Carl Gee added weight to the tail, finishing 14th in 22.37. Young Bobby McCaig ran into 15th position with 22.54 and Mike Potter was a minute behind him. The only two girls to run were Margaret Ashcroft. 17th in 24.24, and Barbara Banks, 18th in 25-11, 40 secs. faster than last time.
John Lynch took first prize in the handicap, Dave Adair 2nd, and Bobby McCaig 3rd, whilst Kevin
Mather received the prize as the first man home.
Today there is a club run as no team is being sent to the National championships at Leicester. All visitors and friends will be made welcome at club H.Q. in Leasowe Road on Monday or Wednesday 7.15 p.m. or Saturday 2-4 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 29/02/1964 by DISCOBOLUS
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