Brian Woolford, of Wallasey Athletic Club, failed by only four seconds to beat the internationally famous Gerry North and win the Lancashire Red Rose "20" at Morecambe on Saturday.
Thirty-six of the best long distance runners in the country took part, and after five miles it was clear that the course record set by Fred Norris in 1958, was in danger.
Woolford was in the leading bunch in company with Fred Howe (Blackpool), Gerry North, Peter Wilkinson (Derby) and Bert Bradshaw, a Lancashire team man.
From then onwards it was the Wallasey runner who applied the pressure, and after leading with Howe at ten miles he broke away with North at 15, and reached the promenade for the last half-mile with a few strides to the good.
Then ensued a terrific fight as the Lancastrian called upon all his reserves of strength and pulled away to win in 1 hour 44 mins 52 secs to lower the old record by 19 seconds. Woolford also beat the record by registering 1-44-56, and Howe was third in 1-46-7.
Ends
Source - Unknown - Saturday, 08/09/1962
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