Announcements

ST HELENS Striders' all-conquering women's team emerged with the spoils from the third fixture in the North West Cross Country League at Arrowe Park in Birkenhead at the weekend.

It was the usual cocktail of blood, mud and thunder but it was a great day for Striders.

Star performer Rachael Fairclough led the way with a powerful performance to finish third overall.

Kelly Hamilton finished strongly to take fifth place, the line coming just too soon to overhaul the fourth placed runner.

Final counter for the team was Hannah Whittaker in seventh place to secure the team victory.

Striders' men performed creditably to finish in sixth place.

A masterclass in pacing from Peter Fairclough saw him reel in and overtake a number of tiring rivals in the second half to finish eighth overall.

Next home was Kane Green, sprinting past four athletes in the final straight to claim 21st place.

Mark Riley was 63rd overall and other counters for the team were Kieran Allen (78th), Eric Ranson (84th) and Anthony Ellis (88th).

New Strider of the Year John Barr reached a personal landmark on Saturday in completing his 250th Parkrun at Victoria Park.

Well known to many in the town’s running community, Barr is a part of the furniture at the weekly event.

He is often found in the pacing team to selflessly help other runners hit their own personal targets.

Earlier in the week Eric Ranson took on the Longridge 7 Mile Christmas Pudding Run.

The race saw athletes tackle a gruelling ascent for 4.5 miles, before carreering downhill for the 2.5 miles to the finish.

Ranson finished 47th overall in 51:56 and was rewarded for his efforts with a Christmas pudding which will no doubt stay indefinitely in the back of his kitchen cupboard.