St Helens 10k: Baby boy gives winner Matt Crehan 'added inspiration'

With the first St Helens 10k set up by the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2011, the event has become a highlight on the local calendar, bringing together a whole mix of runners from the professional, amateur, and first-timers.

Often there are special reasons for the runners taking part and despite the North Road incline, every year seems to get better and better - with a new course record of 31:08 being set by Matt Crehan this year.

It was the sixth consecutive win for the 32-year-old, whose young son James was the inspiration needed to beat second place Jon-Jo Doherty after the pair were neck and neck all race.

READ > Two arrested on suspicion of GBH after man injured in town centre

Matt Crehan beat Jon-Jo Doherty by one second in the St Helens 10k (Image: St Helens Star)
Speaking to the Star after the race, Matt said: "Running over the past six months or so now with [James in mind] has that added inspiration to run for.

"One of the lads who I train with told me when he had his kid, his inspiration was to set the records harder so it is tougher for them to beat when they grow up, so there is as an added inspiration there as well!

"My mum (Olympic athlete Susan Crehan) did a hard job making records tough for me to get first of all!"

Matt being handed his winners medal with Mayor Lynn Clarke and former Saints skipper James Roby (Image: St Helens Star)
Finishing the 10k just a second behind the winner was Liverpool Harriers runner Jon-Jo Doherty, who would have made the new course record if it wasn't for Matt pipping him to the post.

38-year-old Jon-Jo, a former De La Salle student, said: "I was delighted to be a part of a competition [with Matt] and he is a very good friend of mine.

"Over the years, I've realised that it's very important to have that competition. When you look at boxers, for example, you just want people to get out and compete, and may the best man win.

"Running is a great sport and very social, and it's wonderful to have had friends and family [at the event].

"I actually used to live with Matt for a year so we are very close and when it comes down to the race, there is no love lost.

"Obviously I would have liked to beat him but there is always next year! Hopefully we can both keep fit and healthy, and it won't last forever, but we can enjoy it while we can."

Jon-Jo Doherty with his runners-up medal (Image: St Helens Star)
With Jon-Jo and Matt going way back, they also host the Two Men on the Run podcast talking about running and interviewing local runners and international athletes.

Speaking about his relationship and competition with runner-up Jon-Jo, Matt added: "Me and Jon-Jo have trained together off and on since 2017 and I lived with him for a year during 2021.

"We trained really hard together [during this time] and saw Jon-Jo running some fantastic races, both on the road and track, and myself winning the Manchester and Liverpool Marathons.

"We’ve both changed coaches and Jon-Jo clubs since those times and Jon-Jo has gone on to represent Ireland over the cross country, arguably his strongest discipline, and I’ve represented England over the Marathon and Half Marathon."