ST Helens Sutton A.C.’s leading men’s and women’s distance runners, Matt Crehan and Gemma Connolly confirmed their recent good form at the weekend with wins over large fields.

Matt running in the 47th Parbold Hill Race, following in the footsteps of his father (Jim Crehan), mother (Susan Crehan) and Uncle (Neil Smart) all previous winners, led from the gun to the finish, even with having to go back and find his running shoe that was sucked off in the muddy conditions.

He won the testing 6.75 miles of what is described as “mixed terrain”.

Matt’s time was 42 min.17 secs. with his nearest competitor in the 448 strong field 23secs behind.

Gemma was the first lady in the 198 finishers in the senior ladies race in the Manchester & District Cross-country League match held in Stockport’s Woodbank Park. The two levels of the course are separated by a severe climb and here Gemma made her superior fitness tell, winning the 8,400 metres race in a time of 33 min.25 secs.. Also in the field was Rachel McGoldrick who finished third in her age group with a time of 39 min.29 secs.

In the Under13yrs. age group, the Boys team of Michael Dobson, 28th in 12 min. 57 secs., Max Young, 51st in 16 min.51 secs., and Charlie Young, 52nd in 17 min. 28 secs. finished 13th.. Lucy Bridge was 41st in the Girls race with a time of 15 min.39 secs. for the 3,100m. course. The U15yrs. runners competed over 4,200m.

Alyx Bridge was the club’s only Girl and she finished 22nd recording 20 min.30 secs.

The Boys team was led by Michael Brussels who finished in 25th place in 18 min.06 secs. 6secs. and three places ahead of Charlie Roberts.

Scott Aldred was 31st in 20 min.24 secs, six seconds and one place ahead Liam Houghton.

Andy O’Connor was the club’s only senior male, the veteran finishing 17th in his age group with a time for the 10,400m course of 52 min.33 secs.

The club’s oldest regularly competing member, Dorothy Fairhurst (F70), ran in the Nick Beer 10km road race, Starts on the promenade in Llandudno and follows Marine Drive around the scenic Great Orme, before returning to the promenade and finishing opposite Venue Cymru. Dorothy was the first finisher in her age group with a time of 55 min.15 secs.