The race marking the end of the cross-country season is the National Cross-Country Championship.
It is the type of event that every runner would like to race in, so it comes as no surprise to see each of the three races producing around 1,500 starters.
The venue alters every year so that each club has a fair share of travelling. This year the venue is Leicester.
Wallasey athletes will not be travelling as they travelled earlier on in the year to Morpeth and competed in the Northern Counties Championships. This 'national' is on Saturday and by contrast, there is a track meeting on Sunday 14 at the Kirkby Athletic Stadium.
The track at Kirkby is of the rubber compound type, which is unaffected by any weather conditions, and many Wallasey athletes will be opening their track season here.
As the Kirkby meeting is for the younger athletes, 11 to 12-year-olds, some of the senior athletes may be travelling to Stretford, which also boasts an almost brand new, all-weather track, to open their season.
Training in the club is beginning to change its emphasis towards track events from the cross-country events with the first 'peak' of the season for most members, being the county championships on May 15 and 16. Last year, 11 athletes from Wallasey brought back nine medals from the men's championships in Sale; in this, Olympic year, more success is hoped for when the event is held at the Hertford track.
Athletic Club members who are track orientated and have not started training yet, or any person who has an interest in athletics, may wish to be reminded, or informed, of the times and places that the club trains. The lack of headquarter means that we move around from place to place and that we are more than grateful to all who provide the facilities for us to train from.
Monday: St. George's Middle School, 7 p.m. road run.
Tuesday: St. .George's Middle School, 7 p.m. gym.
Wednesday, Woodchurch Community Centre track, 7.15 p.m., track work.
Thursday: Woodchurch Community Centre track, 7 p.m. track work. Saturday: Competition or training from the Girl Guides
Headquarters, Leasowe Road, 2.30,p.m. country run.
During our last committee meeting, all the 'dead wood' membership of the club, both the debtors and those whose interest had been judged to have been long passed was debated. This meant that the total membership now is in the region of 80, around 60 of these being active, still competitive, members.
Interest in the club has certainly increased recently and by contrast to the deletions, some 14 new applicants were approved as members at the same committee meeting.
The Athletic Club is not a seasonal club, offering full track and field facilities in the summer and cross-country races and road racing throughout' the rest of the year.
Twelve months membership is offered for as little as £1., extremely cheap in this day of inflation. The only qualifications are that, members must be at least 11 years old, have a genuine interest in athletics and be prepared to work hard to improve their standard. If you are interested, then visit us on any of the nights given when extra information required will be given.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 13/03/1976 by D.H.
Ref 1902