J. Byrne of Wallasey Athletic Club finished second in the five miles road handicap promoted by Wirral Athletic Club at Prenton last Saturday. The organising club supplied the winner in S. Harrison who starting from the same mark as Byrne, 5 mins. 30 secs., ran a well judged race to win by about 80 yards.
Byrne is a comparative new-comer to distance running and he withstood a strong challenge in the last half mile from A. Wilson of Wirral A.C., with a handicap allowance of 4 mins. 30 secs., who eventually finished third 25 yards behind Byrne. The rest of the field of 20 were some distance behind the first three.
K. Westmore, of Wallasey Athletic Club, former Liverpool University and Christie Champion, 1938 Wallasey Mile Champion, who recently returned to this country, after five years overseas, ran off the 45 secs., mark with remarkable dash - although not quite fit for racing yet. His clubmate, J. Edwards, was in good form, however, and running from actual scratch returned a time of 26 mins. 21 secs. for the five miles, easily the fastest time of the day and only four seconds outside the course record in spite of a strong wind.
Edwards has brought further distinction to the Wallasey club during the present cross-country season. He was a leading runner in West Lancs. Cross-Country Association's victories over East Lancs. C.C.A., at Court Hey, Liverpool and Sale, Manchester, winning the Hamm Finney Trophy; was second in an open four miles track race at Leigh; ran for Northern C.C.A. versus Midlands and South at West Bromwich; won the Smethurst Handicap from scratch over 7 miles at Prenton and is in the provisional Northern team to run against the Army at York on 28th April.
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Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 21/04/1945
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