PICTURES: Dream Trail Race draws record number of runners (From St Helens Star)

PICTURES: St Helens Dream Trail Race attracts record number of runners

11:24am Friday 21st September 2012 in News

RUNNERS of all ages laced up their shoes to make it a record turnout for this year’s Helena Partnerships Dream Trail Races in support of The Steve Prescott Foundation.
The heavy rain forecast didn’t materialise on the day, so the going was perfect for the 191 runners including 61 primary pupils who took part in three races organised by St Helens Sutton AC, around the iconic Dream statue at Sutton Manor.
One of St Helens up and coming juniors, Charlie Roberts, won the 1.2km mini trail in a time of just five minutes with other club athletes Joe Houghton and Jamie Web finishing second and third.

In the junior girls race Anna Pennington took the honours in five minutes 46 seconds followed by Esme Waters and Natasha Wood.

The 4.2km challenge race was opened up to adults for the first time. Despite this the juniors still led the way with Samuel Evans from Warrington, Adam Woosey from St Helens Sutton and Chris Larkin from Halton and Frodsham taking the honours for the boys and Rachel McGoldrick (St Helens Sutton), Kiera Grady from Halton and Frodsham and Maria McGoldrick, St Helens Sutton winning the girls race.
For the adults Ben Wittenberg won the mens race before then taking part in the longer 8.5km race.

He was followed by Chris Taylor and Tony Doyle.
Local athlete Karen Young led the ladies home in a time of 30 minutes followed by Sue Clague, also from St Helens Sutton and Julie Kinsella close behind.
Some 94 runners then took part in the main event, an 8.5km trail race across some challenging terrain.

Following his success in the GPW Legal Services St Helens 10km race earlier in the year John Ashcroft made it a double success leading the field home in a very fast 30 minutes 33 seconds.

Liverpool Harrier Luke Towers was 2nd (31.36) and Greg Williams from St Helens Sutton AC 3rd (31.50). Mark Glynn won the vets prize.
For the ladies Charlotte Ward running in the GPW team won in 44.12 minutes followed by St Helens Strider Ruth Besford (45.20) and Jess Hunt (49.21) also from GPW.

Elizabeth Mole from Atherton Running Club took the vets prize.
Race winners received trophies, Up and Running vouchers and Land Rover experience days.
Organiser Antony Young was extremely pleased with the event and told the Star: “The feedback from runners was superb, many mentioned how friendly the volunteers were, how well organised it was and despite having to work hard to conquer the hills, every single person that I spoke to said that they would be back next year.
“We are really hoping that word continues to spread and that 2013 attracts even greater numbers.”