Wallasey Athletic Club's annual Christmas Handicap race last Saturday was well supported from its start on Leasowe Road.
First off was hammer thrower Phil Holmes, in his first attempt at the race, and behind him a host of club athletes set off at various intervals. The three-and-a-half mile race was fairly flat, except for the laborious trek across the sand hills.
Halfway through the race Mary Caldwell took the lead, which she never lost, Pete Lewis, captain of Birmingham University, set the fastest time of the day at 17 mins. 9 secs., but the handicappers were perhaps too generous to the girls competing.
The championship season for Liverpool & District cross-country start next week, and a small party of athletes will race in the New Year's Eve competition at Mountain Ash, South Wales, tomorrow.
Results of Saturday's handicap:- M. Caldwell, 25-05 (23-26); J. Halfpenny, 25-17 (23-57); M. Ashcroft, 25-20 (19-35), and J. Watts, 25-21 (19-31).
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 30/12/1972
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