Wallasey Athletic Club acquitted themselves well in the Road Relay Races run last Saturday afternoon to inaugurate
Birkenhead's 'Special Savings' week. The under 16 team won the junior race over 9 miles, while the senior team improved their time for the 24 mile course by more than five minutes, although they finished seventh compared with sixth two years ago, when the race was last run. The course started and finished at Birkenhead Town Hall, leaving Hamilton Square by Cleveland Street and returning by Price Street. The senior race was won by the English champions, Sutton Harriers, and the lap record was broken by the international, Geoff Saunders, of Bolton United Harriers, in 14 mins. 6 secs. for 3 miles.
Wallasey's five junior runners each ran 1 and three-quarter miles. After Ken Ledward (9 mins. 28 secs.) stayed with the leaders on the first leg, John Lynch (9 mins. 28 secs.) fought hard to hold the position, which enabled Eric Maddock (9 mins. 11 secs.) to stride into the lead on the third leg. Although short of training Jim Ryan (9 mins. 32 secs.) held the lead and on the final leg Eric Weir (9 mins, 1 sec.) held off the challenge of Manchester Grammar School to win by over 100 yards. Arnold Dinsdale, who ran the first leg in 15 mins. 14 secs. was the fastest of the Wallasey seniors, who each covered 3 miles. The rest of the team in order of running were Denis Kelly (16 mins. 13 secs.), Alan Whitburn (16 mins. 44 secs.), Ramsey Hewson (17 mins. 13 secs.), Tony Dickinson (16 mins.), Eric Foster (16 mins. 32 secs.), Denis Dickinson (15 mins. 44 secs.), and Harold Thompson (15 mins. 56 secs.). Team total time 129 mins.
The team ran true to form, 17 year old Whitburn's performance on his first appearance with the senior team is commendable.
For this Saturdays's fixture with Liverpool University and Liverpool Harriers at the headquarters, Woolton. W.A.C. meet at Liverpool Landing Stage at 2 p.m.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 29/10/1949
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