JON-JO Doherty was the first home for St Helens Striders and 13th overall in the fourth race of the North West Cross Country League at Runcorn Town Park.

Kelly Hamilton was third woman home.

The brutal course, incorporating the ski slope twice, featured athletes ploughing through calf-deep icy water from the start – quite a cross country debut for Ann Johnson, Rick Rowe and Daniel Cheetham.

Meanwhile, Rebecca McKenna clocked 55mins 44secs in the first 10k of the Run Through Tatton Park Series. Tony and Louise Padmore also raced.