Reading about Ron's exploits from his autobiographies and came across this interesting passage from 1964 (abridged):
Without a break, and maintaining over 90 miles per week in training I hurtled on into the road relay season, heading for a daring treble at Easter - the Salford 71/2 on Good Friday, the Rivington Pike Fell race on Easter Saturday and the Beverley marathon on Easter Monday.
Salford 7 1/2 - I forgot to take my racing shoes. Undaunted, I taped my shoes (he meant feet as there is a pic of him racing there barefoot) with sticking plaster, as though for a track race. Most of the road was tarmac. It felt marvellous, flying along with no weight at all on my feet. It was a little difficult here (after a hill) as the chippings on the road were quite prominent and sharp, but I picked out the smoothest bits and won by 26 seconds, with a new course record of 35:01
Rivington Pike Fell race - my left leg was a little stiff below the calf, but it didn't stop me winning. The weather was diabolical, cold, strong wind, rain at times and very slippery underfoot. At the top Tim Johnston (a XC international, who had travelled all the way from Portsmouth) pulled away by 15 yards, which became 100 yards. I went after him and just before the rough ground that preceded the last 1/2 mile I put in my effort to win in 17:08 (Johnston 17:30). He'd think twice about a journey north again!
Beverley marathon - naturally, both legs had some stiffness after the Rivington, but I had jogged most of this away by Monday. The weather reserved its worst for this race, and the 26 miles plus was run in high winds, cold conditions and occasional hail, sleet and snow showers. I stayed behind the lead group for 16 miles and then pulled away easily to win (prize was a picnic hamper). My training log comments: wind was annoying at the end, but I didn't have to force it and found it quite easy, although I was a little race-weary - did 2:26:33. The time was not much different from my Tokyo time (19th in 2:25:34), so where was the justice? The marathon wasn't treating me well, so to hell with it! I'd have a go at the track instead.
They breed them tough up north!