Announcements

THE new year started with a bang for St Helens Sutton A.C. athletes once the festivities had wrapped it was time to get down to business with the County XC Championships taking place last Saturday. The Merseyside Championships where held just a little up the road at Stadt Moors Park in Prescot.

First up was the U11B Race, with many athletes competing for the first time, Bobby Birkett (7th), Oliver Almon (11th), Harry Griffiths (15th) and Ben Genner (19th) all had great runs to bring the team home in 3rd place. In the U13G race, Lilly Birkett was first back for the club in 22nd, followed by Chloe Leigh-Mark (27th) and Niamh Waring (28th).

Gabrial Mullen was the first club member back in the U15B in 12th, next back was Will Vose (24th), Joseph Colley (32nd), Liam Johnson (34th) and Charlie Griffiths (40th) all aiding the team to a great 5th place. In the U15G Lucy Clitheroe had a great run in 10th, Taylor Massey (14th) and Hollie Brussels (18th).

Michael Dobson and Thomas Sumner had a great race as the two U15B representatives finishing 12th and 24th respectively.

Charlie Roberts was crowned Merseyside County Champion in the U17B race with a 14 second lead over his competitors, with Michael Brussels also having a great run in 12th.

In the senior ladies race, Jade Smith had a great run coming home in 12th, with Sonya Monaghan had a fantastic run finishing in 32nd.

In the senior men’s race Jon-Jo Doherty ran a strong race rallying his strength as the race went on, with a final sprint to take 5th place.

Steve Anders was next back in 20th, followed by Andrew Wilson (40th), Chris Birkett (43rd), Ian Roberts (68th), Matt Blake (81st), Greg Carns (109th).

Greg Carns also welcomed in the New Year racing at the classic Auld Lang Syne Fell Race, a 6.7 mile race with 1000ft of ascent starting at Penistone Hill near Haworth, finishing in 1:01.45.