The opening fixture of the Manchester and District Cross Country League took place at Heaton Park, Manchester on Saturday on a typically tough and traditional course.

Top performance for St.Helens Sutton A.C. on the day came from Liam Johnson who won the Under 17 Mens race and helped the team to third place.

Also showing up well were Bobby Birkett who finished 8th in the Under 15s race and the ever improving Lucy Clitheroe who placed 10th in the Ladies race.

Further afield Club members Sonya Monaghan and Amy Corfield competed in the Barcelona Iron Man which entails a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a marathon.

Sonya's combined time was 11 hours 53 minutes 42 seconds earning her 3rd place in her age category and Amy recording a combined time of 12 hours 23 minutes 32 seconds, both very good efforts.

Meanwhile closer to home in the Rainford 10k Michael Brussels finished 9th in 39 minutes 12 seconds and Jane Makin 304th in 1 hour 20 minutes 50 seconds.

Less than 24 hours after Heaton Park Barry Graney took part in the Manchester Half Marathon clocking a time of 1h.38m.17s, a very commendable effort.

Also representing the club was Jane Makin who posted a time of 2h.50m.10s.

Heaton Park results.

Under 11 Boys.

2.8km ,Rohan Dickinson ,11m.26s (15th).

Under 11 girls.

2.8km, Lucy Clauge,15m.33s (45th).

Under 13 Girls.

3.1km, Sophia Hunter,12m.8s (20th),Sophia Lang, 12m.21s (25th), Melissa Goddard 13m.27s (51st), Lily McKeegan,15m.01s (68th), Team (11th).

Under 13 Boys .

3.1km, Woody Deane, 12m.28s (41st).

James Goddard, 13m.00s (46th), Lucas Vine.

13m.00s (47th) Team (12th).

Under 15 Boys .

5.6km, Bobby Birkett, 20m.01s (8th), Riley Underhill 21m.22s (17th), Sam Callaghan, 23m.07s (37th) Team (6th).

Under 15 Girls.

5.6km, Chloe Brownbill, 30m.10s (53rd).

Under 17 Men.

6.3km, Liam Johnson, 18m.46s (1st), Luke Wilson 21m.15s (20th), Will Vose 21m.27s (21st), Ben Genner 25m.34s (48th) Team (3rd).

Ladies Under 17.

6.3km,Lily Birkett 25m.14s (11th), Nicole Anders 28m.12s (23rd).

Senior Women.

8.5km, Lucy Clitheroe, 32m.35s (12th), Taylor Massey 35m.43s (36th), Siobhan Massey 39m.01s (80th), Susan Johnson ,40m.24s (97th), Collette Goddard, 45m.39s (176th) Team (10th).

Senior Men.

9.5km, Steve Anders, 33m.01s (72nd), Chris Birkett, 34m.27s (117th), Michael Brussels, 35m.33s (139th), Andrew Wilson, 36.27s (169th) Joe Byrne, 38m.22s (224th),Barry Graney, 40m.40s,(280th), Martin Johnson 40m.50s (284th), Alan Mahoney, 44m.48s (360th), Paul Brownbill 47m.43s (384th) Team (24th).