Attendances for track training at Wallasey A.C's Leasowe Road H.Q., this week have shown a marked improvement, due no doubt to the fine weather and lighter nights.
This is very encouraging, particularly in view of the forth coming Cheshire County championships, which this year are to be held at Helsby on June 6th. An event which will not be decided at this meeting is the team relay which will be held a week earlier at Stockport.
The usual early holding of these championships will of course give an advantage to the fittest athletes and it is hoped that members will continue to take full advantage of training nights which are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday as well as Saturday afternoons
Arrangements are being made for the marking out of the quarter-mile track and completion of the jumping pits and it is hoped that these will be ready very shortly. The assistance of old friends or members of the club in judging and recording would be much appreciated during the coming season, particularly on Wednesdays for the club championship events.
Last Saturday saw a remarkable performance in the world of long distance road running, when local athlete Billy McMinnis of Sutton Harriers won the classic Finchley '20' in a time of 1hour 47min. 44secs., thus beating the course record held by the phenomenal Jim Peters by nearly two minutes.
It must be remembered that although Peters failed in the Olympics at Helsinki, he has during the past few years eclipsed all previous British times for marathon and near marathon distances.
His performances have been considerably faster than those of the great Jack Holden and Peters did in fact run the fastest marathon ever only for this to be bettered by Zatopek in the last Olympic marathon, from which it can be seen that McMinnis's effort puts him right in the top flight.
McMinnis, who is the present holder of the West Lancs. Senior Cross-Country title, has been gradually building himself up for the marathon distance over the past year or two and it seems likely that this popular athlete will at least give Peters a run for his money in this year's main marathon events.
Next Saturday the evergreen Frank Ledward will compete in the Radcliffe 21-mile road race, when this Wallasey marathon runner will be severely tested by this very hilly and gruelling course.
Applications for membership will be welcomed by General secretary Carl Gee, 78 King Street, Tel. 5129. Applications for the ladies' section should be made to secretary Jean Massey, 200 Seaview Road, Tel. 6455, or Captain Margaret Collings, 60 Withens Lane, Tel. 2864.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 25/04/1953 by RM
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