LAST weekend saw a large number of St. Helens Sutton A.C. athletes head over to Manchester to compete in the first Manchester Area Cross Country Match of 2020.

The U11B were up first, with the team finishing 8th overall thanks to strong runs from Oliver Almond who was home first from the club, closely followed by Theo Cotter, Harry Grifiths, Luke Wilson, Ben Genner, Eliagh and Ethan Colley.

In the U11G Nicola Anders was the sole representative over the testing course at Tatton Park.

A great 7th place was had by the U13B with Gabrial Mullen placing 13th, followed back by Liam Johnson, Will Vose, Joseph Colley and Charlie Griffiths. Back first for the U13G was Lilly Birkett followed by Chloe-Leigh Mark and Niamh Warring.

In the U15B Micheal Dobson had a great run in 14th and joined by Thomas Sumner.

The U15G took 10th place with Lucy Clitheroe back first for the club followed closely by Taylor Massey and Jessica Bairstow.

The highlight of the day came from U17 man Charlie Roberts as he took a five second win over a strong field.

And in the senior men Jon-Jo Doherty continued to go from strength to strength finishing 9th senior back out of a field of 479 runners in one of the most competitive leagues of the UK.

Next back was Andrew Wilson (156th), Chris Birkett (175th), Ian Roberts (271th).

Over in Sheffield Jade Smith was staying dry and warm as she made the start to her Paralympic Campaign, running a new PB over 1,500m on her first attempt at running on a 200m indoor track with 5:05 well below the 5:35 Paralympic Qualifying standard.