ST Helens best races take place with the 4th annual Striders Trail 5, superbly hosted and supported by St Helens Striders, so it was only fair that St. Helens Sutton members would turn out in force.

The superbly in form Tom Griffiths took the race from the start and demolished the previous course record by nearly a minute running a great 28:19 over the testing course. Ste Anders (31:25) was second getting back to great form which had previously secured him the win in the first year of the Striders Trail 5 back in 2016.

In 6th place (33:59), back up from London was John Appleton again getting back to some fantastic form after several years of injury struggles.

Then battling it out between them and swapping running order throughout the race was Barry Graney and Ian Roberts with Graney taking the win in the end with 36:18 (16th) and Roberts 36:40 (21st).

Sonya Monaghan was the first St. Helens Sutton woman back in 40:55 and took first Female Vet40 prize.

Not far behind was Greg Carns (42:20) coming back to great form who was swiftly followed by former sprinter Heather Drillingcourt (42:32).

And rounding out the Sutton presence was Janet Holmes covering a slightly shorter trail distance than some of her recent races in 54:20 and St Helens Sutton A.C. Club President John Irwin who took the first Male Vet70 prize (1:06.49).