COLETTE Flaherty never fails to amaze her fellow Striders: this time in Chicago alongside the larger than life Paula Radcliffe.

Collette not only competed in the 5k finishing in 24:56, but also the marathon with a time of 4hrs 06mins.

Kelly Hamilton secured herself first female finisher at the Rainford 10k for the second year on the bounce, setting a new course record! She delighted her fellow Striders in recording a time of 40:59. Hamilton now goes into the Winter training period which includes the Cross Country season with a spring in her step, and with lots more serious hard work to follow.

Kelly Pictured Centre Stage Leading her Fellow Striders in the warm-up.

The Striders were present in significant numbers.

There were PB's from stalwart Kevin Cairns 43:23; Tom Chadwick, in his first Strider outing, proved that joining the Striders has indeed made a huge difference gaining a Personal Best of 40:48.

Lisa Cheers finished second lady overall with Claire Scott managing 3rd. Anne Johnson took the prize of 1st Veteran over 40, making it a clean sweep for the Strider ladies. Kevin Brennan was the first male to finish in 11th place overall. Joanne Jackson also made the running in 53:38.

470 took part in the event.

Outside Rainford High before the 10k. Ran in memory of George Faulkner

On the very same morning, with huge support, the Striders took part in the Kirkby Milers 10 Miler.

The race started and finished in the grounds of Knowsley Safari Park. Jon-Jo Doherty finished 1st in the event in a time of 55:32, which is now a new club record! Former record holder Paul Demore was delighted for his teammate who bettered his long-standing mark held for seventeen years.

Jenny Appelton, alongside Karen Mason and Elizabeth Phillipson, showed what the true Strider spirit is all about, by producing what can only be termed as a team effort of blissful dynamism, completing the event in 1hr 48mins. Nicola Donovan ran a new and improved effort of 1:26:12, which was a staggering 17 minutes faster than her performance in the same race last year!

There were PB's galore for Hannah Whittaker in 1:11:54, Mark Hamilton in 1:18:51, Ian Wright in 1:11:19. Jackie Dobson ran 9 minutes faster than the previous year in 1:42:18. Lynda Butchard resurrected herself after an early stumble finishing in 1hr 44mins.

Jane Marshall fought relentlessly to produce a sub 1hr 30 finish. All in all a hugely successful event for the Striders! Huge appreciation was given to the Kirkby Milers AC, and only in their second annual event it has already become a mainstay of the local racing calendar. 785 participants finished the event.

Martin Ballard completed the Chester Metric Marathon in 1:58:43

The St Helens Striders Train on a Monday and Wednesday Evening from the Windlehurst Sports Club on Windleshaw Road. The warm up starts at 6:50pm and the prearranged training plans start from 7pm. All Abilities Welcome!