ST Helens Sutton Athtletics Club star women’s distance runner Gemma Connelly knocked two and a half minutes of her personal best in the Greater Manchester Marathon on Sunday.

Gemma edged closer to the club record finishing in 2hours 46mins 33 secs.

Andy Wilson in 3hours 9mins led the club's four runners home in the Blackpool Marathon, a windy out and back course along the front, followed by Marc Liptrot, 3hours 15mins, and Dave Hampson in 3hours 40mins.

The club’s only lady competitor was Sonya Monaghan finishing in 3hours 43mins.

There was a big turnout of club members for the latest round of the Warrington Park Run. Ian Costello led the way finishing 14th in a time of 18mins 46secs, followed by Andy O’Connor, 22nd overall and third in his age group in 19mins 5secs.

Wayne Joyce ran the race for the first time and finished 33rd in 20mins 35secs. There was not much to separate the next three runners, Gary Oldham, 21mins 27secs, Ian White in 22mins 9secs and Julia Ecclestone making it home in 22mins 26secs for fourth place in her class and a personal best time for the course.

Anthony Young’s time of 22mins 36secs was another personal best. Pam Appleton was the club’s second lady finisher in 25mins 29secs, with Gemma Aden running 26mins 23secs.

Five more ladies completed the club’s turnout; Rachel Wilcock clocked 27mins 18secs, Rachel Beesley came home in 27mins 56secs, Pauline Picton in 32mins 33secs, Karen Young completed the course in 38mins 24secs and Kay Wilcock in 39mins 56secs.