ONLY the hardiest of St Helens Sutton A.C.’s cross-country runners made the trip to Blackburn’s Witton Park for the Northern Counties Championships.

The always testing course was made even worse by the continuing rain which produced plenty mud and difficult going.

The Under 13years Boys ran a 3.2km course.

Michael Brussels was first for the club with his time of 14 min.53 secs.  finishing just 7secs  ahead of Charlie Roberts. Running for the U15yrs.  Girls, Lucy Price ran her   km course in 25 min.51 secs.

The U20yrs Women ran over 5.6km, Rachel McGoldrick finished a pleasing 21st in 25 min.29 secs.

The course for the Senior Ladies was 2 km further. Gemma Connolly, probably still feeling the effects of her win in the ladies section of the Four Villages half marathon was 53rd in 35 min 56 secs and double clubber Rachael Fairclough ran 5 secs faster to finish 48th. 

Three members tackled the 12 km Senior Men’s course, the fastest being Greg Williams who ran 55 min 16 secs to finish 202nd a good performance in a field of over 600 competitors.

Andy O’Connor ran 73 min 15 secs and Ian White 74 min.21 secs.

At the club’s Presentation Evening one of the club’s members, Darren Scott presented the awards.

He is a world record holder at 200m, which he set at the European Masters Championships in Torun, Poland in 2015.

Awards went to Adam Woosey and Jess Leonard (Junior Performance) and Matthew Lamb and Erin Makin  (Junior Performance of the Year).

The Senior Awards went to Darren Scott and Karen Marsh (Performance) and to Jonathan Causer and Trish Sparks (Athlete of the Year).

Winners of the most improved athletes were Charlie Roberts, Rachel Beesley and Steve Anders.

Other awards were made for performances in Sports Hall competition, cross-country, track & field athletics and road running.

Afterwards everyone enjoyed a hot pot supper and disco.