It is many years since the North dominated cross-country sport as it does to-day, and it is therefore with more than usual interest that the performance of Wallasey A.C. runner Bob Johnston will be watched at the Northern Championships at Port Sunlight this Saturday.
His recent triumphs in the Liverpool & District and West Lancashire Championships have established, him as one of the best in the North and this Saturday will probably provide his most testing race to date as he can count amongst his opponents Geoff Saunders, reigning international champion; Walter Hesketh, world five-mile record holder; Len Eyre, British Empire three-mile champion, and Frank Aaron, national cross-country champion for three years. Added to these are internationals Green, of Wirral; Fred McMinnis, T. Fillingham and M. Maleedy, of Sutton; Chorlton, of Doncaster; A. Coggins, of Hull; N. Ashcroft and A. A. Christian, and D. C. Birch of Leeds.
Fields of over 200 each will contest the boys', youths' and junior races, and Wallasey, with full teams in each race, are hopeful of a good following of supporters.
Wallasey A.C. have booked a special coach to make the trip to Birmingham for the national championships, and full details are now available from Ron Hubbard, phone Birkenhead 3550. This is a fine opportunity to see the best in England for a very low expenditure.
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Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 23/02/1952
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