Five teams from St Helens Sutton A.C. travelled to Lancaster to compete in the North West Road Relays. In cold, wet and windy conditions the club managed to come away with plenty medals.

Firstly, the Under13 yrs. Girls team was made up of 3 athletes who were competing in their first road relay for the club.

Bethany Haughey, Sian Glynn and Lucy Price all ran strong individual legs to be rewarded with bronze medals. The U13yrs. Boys also took part in their first road relay.

Joe Houghton was on the first leg for the team and ran superbly, Reece Ellis represented the club for the first time and ran excellently and Matthew Slevin brought the team home, running brilliantly for the boys to win themselves silver medals.

The U15yrs. Girls team was made up of Emily Ashton, Alex Glynn and Ellie Mawdsley. Emily led the team off, competing for the first time. Each individual ran fantastically and they got bronze medals. For the Boys, Sam Thompson ran to gain experience and ran very strongly to finish in 10th position overall.

The U17yrs. Girls team consisted of Rachel McGoldrick, Maddie Williams and Maria McGoldrick who all ran well to receive bronze medals. The senior men’s team consisted of Ian Roberts, Simon Anim-Somuah, Ian Hayburn and Barry Graney who ran hard but were unable to match the exploits of the younger members. The men also had incomplete team of Gary Oldham and Andy O’Connor.

Five of the club’s senior members made the much longer trip to the North-East of England for the Great North Run and found the same wet and windy conditions. This race is one for an experience, not a fast time, and despite the times of the leading runners, those down the field could not expect personal bests. Dennis Wharton, the only male, finished the half-marathon in 95 min.16 secs.. For the ladies, Tami Garveyiones ran 109 min.47 secs., Joanne Keogh 115 min.13 secs., Amanda Coogan 127 min.8 secs. and Karen Harrison 133 min.35 secs..