Running in his first Christmas handicap race, young Melvin Schless off a 4 mins. 55 secs. handicap, ran a well-judged race to win Wallasey Athletic Club's annual event in 19 mins. 31 secs.
This proved to be the 9th fastest time of the day. Second man home; and creating something of a surprise, was John Warrilow who turned in an excellent 19:27. He was closely followed by Dave Lockley, who had the second fastest actual time of 17:41, which was a personal best for the 3¼ mile lap.
Ken Roscoe ran the 4th fastest time, 18:24, and also filled 4th position in the field. Club captain Brian Woolford confirmed his recent return to complete fitness by returning the best time of the day, 17:09, which gave him 5th place, just one ahead of Dave Adair, 6th in 19:47.
Newcomer David Jackson showed good form in 7th place with 19:09 and this was three seconds faster than Mike Teahan, who started with him.
At this point the first eight runners had passed the finishing line in 19 seconds, a triumph for the handicappers, and Paul Barrie, 9th despite a fall in Telegraph Lane, pipped Watcham by one second, with Doug Hanna a further 5 seconds behind.
Only 2 secs later was Barrie Smith, whose 18:02 was the 3rd fastest time of the day, and he led home Mike Whiteside with Pete Lewis and Carl Gee close at hand.
Len Durkin was 16th with 19:54 then Robert Brimage, the first of the junior boys, crossed the line at 21:25. He was only one second ahead of Paul Holdsworth, with Ian Wilson another second behind in 21:02.
Peter Banks returned 24 mins. to take 20th place, with Derek Roberts 14 secs. to the rear, then tail-enders John Young (20:44), Barbara Banks (25:59) and Robin Tarrant (22:27) completed the 24 runners.
Congratulations must go to all the runners in most inclement weather, and sincere thanks to the officials who got a soaking for their efforts with stop watch and pen.
