THE first Saturday of 2014 saw St Helens Sutton A.C. members competing in three cross country county championships, with a total of 22 athletes running in the Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire championships.

The Cheshire championships were held at Birchwood Forest Park in Warrington.

The course was very muddy and wet.

In the Senior Ladies event, Gemma Connolly covered the distance of 8km in 5th place in 36 min.59 secs, placing 4th in her age category.

The Under 17years women's race of 5km included Maria McGoldrick who finished 12th in 22 min.58 secs with sister Rachel 13th in 23 min.35 secs.

For the Merseyside championships at Stadt Moers Country Park, the weather was fine and the rain held off.

The ground was soft and heavy going so the youngsters in particular, did well to cope with conditions.

The U11s boys race of 1.5km saw Charlie Roberts finishing 3rd overall in 6 min.05 secs with Michael Brussels finishing 7th in 6 min.35 secs.

The U13s boys saw Joe Houghton finish 14th in the 3km race in 13 min.26 secs.

The U13s girls finished 5th team over the 3km course.

Imogen King led the girls home in 29th place in 16 min.11 secs, Bethany Haughey finished 33rd in 17 min.02 secs. shortly followed by Lucy Price (34th in 18 min.04 secs.).

Sian Glynn completed the team in 36th in a time of 18 min.39 secs.

Sam Thomson completed the U15yrs boys 4km race 22nd in 18 min.59 secs, Curtis Adamson finished closely behind in 23rd place in 19 min.14 secs and Joseph Woods ran 21 min.12 secs to finish 25th place.

The U17s ladies were represented by Maddie Williams who ran well to complete the 5km course in 8th place in 24 min.11 secs.

Jamie White ran in the U20yrs. men's 8km race, running well to finish 6th in 31 min.43 secs.

In the senior ladies 8km race Julia Eccleston finished 24th in 41 min.01 sec, finishing 3rd in her age group overall (LV40).

The senior men saw John Greenall finish 40th covering the 10km course in 45 min.42 secs.

He also achieved 3rd in his age category (MV50).

Barry Graney finished 44th in 45 min.58 secs and Andrew Wilson came 49th in 46 min.53 secs.

Alan McNally completed the course in 55 min.58 secs and Gary Oldham finished in 56 min.19 secs..

At the Lancashire championships held at Witton Park in Blackburn, the 10km course was very testing and the conditions were also wet and muddy underfoot.

Andrew O'Connor was placed 5th MV50 and 88th overall in a time of 44 min.8 secs.