Wallasey Athletic Club hold their 60th annual cross-country championships today at 2.30 p.m. from the club H.Q. in Leasowe Road, over similar courses to the 1965 races.
The first event, the boys' should prove a good thing for Melvin Schless, but he cannot afford to be complacent, for the running of Colin Reiners and Keith Butler has improved of late, as has Pete Lewis's, and this should be as good a race as any seen in recent years.
LOCKLEY A DOUBTFUL STARTER
The Youths' race, over the 3-mile 'round the church' circuit, should give Johnny Jones a win from Steve Walker, with Phillip Wealthy and Mike Weatherilt fighting out third place if the latter is fit.
Dave Lockley will be there, of course, but if reason prevails he will be watching and not competing. His recent injury has kept him out of competitive running for two months now, and an extra week of inactivity would be of long-term value, with the local and area championships imminent.
The Seniors and Juniors will start together, probably for the last time, and will run the Bidston Hill 5½ mile course, with the Junior result coming within the Senior race.
Three months ago Barrie Smith could have won this event "running backwards on one leg", but so improved is Alan Keating that there can be no foregone conclusions, and with 'Tiger' McNamee home from College and an unknown quantity, the Junior event should prove the closest match of the day.
WOOLFORD SUPREME
Local residents in parts of the boroughs of Wallasey and Birkenhead as far apart as New Brighton and Claughton Village, having seen a lone runner in the course of a 10-mile training run, can gamble that he is Wallasey's secretary Brian Woolford, who lifted his running to international standard two years ago and was placed 8th in the famous Kocise marathon in Czechoslovakia.
This kind of dedicated training, in all weathers, gives Brian the favourites' place in the senior race and he should have little trouble in holding off John Wright, Len Durkin. Mike Teahan, Doug Hanna, etc., today - when newcomers and spectators will be welcome at Leasowe Road playing fields at 2 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 31/12/1966 by DISCOBOLUS
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