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ST HELENS Striders were out in force on Sunday at the Liverpool Rock n Roll half-marathon and marathon event.

The conditions were far from ideal in the blazing hot sunshine on a tough course but nevertheless, everyone rose to the challenge with some stellar performances.

Allegedly ‘taking it easy’ before the Edinburgh marathon next weekend, David Wilson was first Strider home with 1:33:30. Closely following him was Kelly Hamilton with a brilliant time of 1:33:47.

She was 14th female overall in her very first half marathon.

Kelly wasn’t the only Strider to complete her first half-marathon. Lisa Glover, Jenny Appleton, Bernard Graney, Laura Edmondson, Nicola Edmundson, Jane Marshall, Ian Floyd and Mark Hamilton also competed at this distance for the first time.

Some members achieved personal best times — no mean feat in such high temperatures.

Paul Brown achieved his best ever time in 1:37:41 and despite a bout of cramp, Ann Johnson managed to knock 10 minutes off her previous time in 1:48:08.

Andy Lawrenson and Nicky Donovan were also delighted to have smashed minutes off their old PBs.

The marathon proved to be a real test of grit and endurance - Kevin Outten showed incredible determination to be first Strider to finish in 3:11:31. The resilient Kevin Cairns finished his first marathon in a brilliant time of 4:12:54.

Other Strider heroes to finish were Joanne Jackson, Andrew Bridge, Rick Rowe and Tammy Jones.

Just down the motorway, Angela Jones competed in the Manchester half-marathon finishing in a great time of 2:29:07.

Further afield Paul Booth continued his Iron-Man preparations with a triathlon. Astonishingly, he was able to run a 10k PB of 44:04 after completing a swim and a cycle beforehand.