Announcements

THERE was a good turnout of St Helens Sutton A.C.’s senior runners for the British Athletics Cross Challenge and international selection match in Liverpool’s Sefton Park.

The undulating 9.8km grassland course provided a good preparation for those earning international selection.

The size of the field is reflected in the fact that the club’s first finisher, Tom Griffiths' 34 min.06 secs run only earned him 171st. place.

Matthew Crehan was three places behind running 34 min.14 secs, Steve Anders was 215th. in 35 min.50 secs and Peter Fairclough 220th in 35 min.52 secs.

Then came three veterans, John Greenall (M50), 37 min14 secs., Andrew Wilson (M45) and Ian Hayburn (M50), 37 min.32 secs. finishing 252nd., 256th. and 259th.

The club’s other finishers were Greg Williams, 37 min.50 secs., Joe Walker, 39 min.29 secs, Ian Costello (M45), 39 min.50 secs., Barry Graney (M45), 40 min.31 secs, Rachel Beesley 46 min.03 secs, Louise Hogg 50 min.23 secs, Ray Vose (M50), 50 min.29 secs. and Peter Johnson (M45), 55 min.21 secs.

Two of the ladies found other competitions.

Dual member Rachel Fairclough ran in the City of Salford Women’s 5.25mile road race finishing an excellent eighth in 34 min.32 secs and Karen Harrison ran in the Festive Flash 5 mile race in Pennington Flash Country Park finishing 154th. in 47 min.37 secs.

Greg Carns (M40) chose an even tougher task taking part in the David Staff Memorial Fell Race, held in Sunnyhurst Wood in Darwen. The 6km. course has 305ms of climbs.

Greg finished in 36 min.45 secs. taking 45th. place.