One of the finest meeting the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union has ever staged was held in Sefton Park last Saturday when the marathon road relay race open to Merseyside teams weas re-run after being abandoned last October.
There were more spectators than have been seen at any previous similar gathering, the weather was almost perfect and the nine teams competing for the George Neville White Trophy reached a high standard of athletics - and, best of all, the organisation on this occasion left nothing to criticise.
The marathon distance (26 miles 385 yards) was run in relays by teams of eight each runner covering just over 3½ miles, this distance being exactly one lap of the course.
The first lap was the fastest of all, Ken Westmore, of Wallasey, was wrongly instructed about the finish and made his effort 200 yards too soon, and could only manage third to the two fliers, R. G. Jones, of Bangor, and Sefton and A. E. Frost of Pembroke. These three runners recorded the three fastest times of the afternoon, Jones taking the fastest lap prize. N. Marples took over for Wallasey, and by producing his best running was only 15 seconds behind the leader, B. Nolan, of Pembroke, at the end of the second relay. The third relay saw Pembroke establish a very useful lead over the second and third teams, Sefton and Wallasey respectively, although it must be remembered that Pembroke is one of the strongest Clubs in the country at road-racing. C. F. Peers ran hard for Wallasey, although his time was the slowest of the team eight. W. R. Richardson, the Wallasey captain, ran the next leg and successfully held his own against the leaders.
The times at half-distance, 13 miles, were Pembroke, 1 hr. 9 mins. 48 secs., Sefton, 1 hr. 11 mins 16 secs, Wallasey, 1 hr. 12 mins. 10 secs.
W. H. Marsh. Pembroke's brilliant young runner, took over for the fifth relay and further increased Pembroke's lead, but W. P. Davey, of Wallasey, put in some powerful running and reduced Sefton's lead to under half a minute. Interest was now centred on the Sefton - Wallasey duel, and excitement was running high.
D. Grisdale running the sixth relay for Wallaby did not seem up to this usual good form and although he pluckily kept going he was about 50 secs, slower than was generally expected.
The penultimate relay spoilt Wallasey's chances of second place. Sefton ran their champion, F. Rodgers, while Wallasey had to put up their 2nd reserve, J. Williams, and the former runner had no difficulty in gaining nearly a minute and a half. Pembroke by that time were well away in front and their International, Norman Jones, (he ran well for England on the previous Saturday), was given a rousing send off, many expecting him to run the fastest lap of the afternoon. The conditions, however, were becoming unsuitable for fast time as it was getting much colder and the wind was increasing and Jones was 19 seconds slower than the fastest lap. J. H. Robinson the well known track and road runner, finished second for Sefton and J. Edwards, who had reduced the lead a little on the last lap, third.
The eventual times were Pembroke 2 hrs. 19 mins. 34 secs. (average per mile 5 mins. 17 secs.), Sefton 2 hrs. 23 mins. 49 secs. (average per mile 5 mins 29 secs.), Wallasey Athletic Club 2 hrs. 26 mins. 3 secs. (average per mile 5 mins. 34 secs.)
The Wallasey runners, in order, and their times were:-
1, K. Westmore 16 50
2, N. Marples 17 38
3, C. F. Peers 19 14
4, W. R. Richardson 19 34
5, W. P. Davey 19 19
6, D. Grisdale 19 20
7, J. Williams 19 1
8, J. Edwards 17 43
Alderman W. T. Roberts, who started the race, also presented the prizes, and congratulated the runners upon their splendid efforts.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 16/04/1938
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