ORGANISERS of Challenge St Helens have hailed the inaugural event "a great success" after more than 550 runners pounded the town centre streets on Sunday.

With 227 people taking on the 1km event and 344 the 5km run, there was plenty of lively competition among the runners too.

Entrants took on the course which snaked through Victoria Square, Church Street, Chalon Way, along the Hotties canal and around the George Street Quarter.

The men’s 5km race was won by John Ashcroft, from Paul Carrier and Simon Wright, while the first three in the women’s 5km were Alex Seddon, Carole Morgan and Steph Preston.

The boy’s 1km race was won by Michael Mellor, from Matthew Holland and Matthew Mellor, while the girl’s 5km was won by Anna Newton, with Lily Wright second and Becky Gill third.

Event organiser Steve Smith beamed: “I ran most of the 1km route to make sure the kids were all going the right way and made it to Bickerstaffe Street just as young Michael Mellor was approaching the finish line to win with a mixture of joy and determination etched on his face.

“The cheer from the crowd was electric, such a positive outpouring of support. It was a fantastic atmosphere.

At that moment I realised we had done something very special.

"We will definitely be looking to do it all again next year and to build on this year’s success.”

All the money raised in the event will go to Macmillan Cancer Support, Willowbrook Hospice and the Friends of Mulanje Orphans.

LOG on later this week for special Challenge St Helens picture gallery.