Leamington on Saturday 09/03/1946 10 Miles (Senior Men)

HOLDEN'S GREAT TRIUMPH IN NATIONAL RACE

At the age of 38 - he will be 39 on Wednesday - Holden, at Leamington was cheered home to his "National" hat-trick over a severe course of a little under ten miles. Making most of the running he clocked the fine time of 57 mins. 21 secs. He had performed an international title hat-trick before he scored his first "national" success in 1938 and which he repeated the following year. Then he went on to win many events in war-time athletics. Holden's success on Saturday was a triumph of judgment and well-preserved "middle age" fitness. His example should be an inspiration to the good men he beat at Leamington and hopes to lead to victory at Ayr. [Cross Country International Race]

Bob Reid of Birchfield, who finished second to the champion, will be representing Scotland so on March 30 there will be another great tussle between these leaders of Midland clubs. Bob's team finished second to the title holders, Belgrave with Jack's club third.

Derby always occupy a prominent place on the sports map. They could not raise a senior team on Saturday, but they carried off the individual laurels in the youths' championship, over three miles. When G. B. Saunders, a Repton schoolboy, won very comfortably. Team honours went to Leeds club, Harehill Liberals, who provided the second home. D. L. Birch.

Godiva Harriers, who competed in both events, were eighth in the youths' race, and twelfth in the English Championship.
COVENTRY EVENING TELEGRAPH - 11/03/1946