The Northern marathon champton. Brian Woolford (Wallasey A.C.), showed remarkable consistency by finishing third in the A.A.A. marathon championship last week at Coventry in 2 hrs 23 mins. 44 secs. for this was only five seconds slower than his time at Huyton in the Northern event.
Fred Howe (Blackpool), who was third to Woolford over the Huyton course in 2-26-49. finished fourth in the A.A.A. race and showed an improvement of 34 secs.
With the European and Commonwealth Games champion Brian Kilby as the local favourite, it was understandable that the Coventry people turned out in their thousands to watch the race and cheer Kilby to his fourth successive win. especially as the greatest challenge was mounted by another Coventry Godiva runner, Basil Heatley.
Kilby's time was 2 hrs. 16 mins 45 secs., the fastest time yet recorded in this race
Heatley was 3 mins. 11 secs behind at the finish, but the champion, one of the premier marathon runners of the world, covered the distance in 2 hours 14 mins. 43 secs in winning the Welsh marathon in July.
This latter time has been been beaten only once on any course in the world - by L. G. Edelon. of U.S.A, who was 15 seconds faster in winning the Poly marathon over the Windsor to Chiswick course in June. Doubts about the exact distance of this course still linger.
The other sub 2 hours 20 mins British marathon runner is Ron Hill (Bolton) who is busily engaged in track events just now, although I suspect that he has not put out of his mind the possibility of the Olympic marathon win at Tokyo next year.
Another name now withdrawn from these top contenders is that of Ron Barlow, Woolford's club-mate. For a time at any rate Barlow has returned to the track, and with good purpose. In recent weeks he has startled some established three milers, and during this week has turned in a mile in 4 mins. 8.3 secs.
This was done in an invitation race on Monday evening at Blackburn behind Brian Hall. The Witton Park track is the most popular track in Lancashire with runners who race at 440 yards and upwards, because a long list of personal best performances have been recorded there.
A recent addition was by Peter Abell (Sale Harriers) who, although still only 17, competed in the senior half mile in last Saturday's inter-club contest and shattered the opposition with 1 min 52 secs.
Dave Edwards (Pilkingtons), too, gladdened the hearts of Lancashire supporters by turning again to the 440 yards, a distance in which he showed some interest at the start of the season Those who fancy that Dave has a future at this distance felt very encouraged with his win in 48.4 secs., defeating the Northern 440 yards champion, Mike Airey, fairly easily.
He could be the answer to a selection problem in the match. North v. South v Midlands, at the the Blackpool Illuminations meeting on September 7.
The field events, too, had a turn at Witton Park, when John Moreby (Birchfield) jumped 25ft 1¾ins., which is l¼ins, better than the existing A.A.A. National record set by J. D. Howell at Erith on a Sunday morning in the nick of time to qualify for an Olympic entry at Rome.
The Port Sunlight A.C. 15 miles open road race will be held on September 17, starting and finishing at The Oval, Old Chester Road, Bebington. In this race prizes are awarded to all runners finishing within 10 per cent, of the winner's time.
Entries should be sent to the race secretary. J. Mulhern. 25 Stanton Road. Bebington
The first team entry for the Red Rose open 20 miles road race at Morecambe on September 14 comes from Belgrave Harriers, whose club captain. Gerry North, was last year's winner. The team includes brother Geoff North, who has followed Gerry to London and is now a first-claim member of Belgrave.
Clubs are reminded that the Sefton Park road relay will be held on October 5, and not at the end of the cross-country season as in past years. The Lancashire road relay championship will be at Southport on October 12.
The Warrington open 7 miles road race will be on September 28.
Ends
Source - Liverpool Echo - Saturday, 24/08/1963 by J. C. Rice
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