St Helens Sutton Athletic Club 1990

Stretford Open Meeting : 28 March

We understand a goodly number of club athletes attended the Bank Holiday meeting and numerous medals were won but to date the only results available are a club record and personal best equalling 1.75 for Ben Fisher in the high jump and 54.97 in the javelin. Other results will be posted as soon as they are known. Results

Runcorn Bridge Race: 27 March:

Five club members had a run out in the run from Runcorn to Hale, Andy O'Connor finishing 23rd in 29.47. New member Gerry Kennedy recorded 34.37 in 67th place while David Bradshaw and Cecilia Fitzsimons had their second race in 72 hours finishing 96th (36.17) and 100th (36.29) respectively. The ever-young Dorothy Fairhurst took 241st place in 43.43. Unfortunately the website results did not give any specifics about age group winners so no details are available. (Compiled by Phil Thomas).

Manx Festival Races : Good Friday 10k : 25 March: Peel Hill Race : 26 March

Catherine Lambert warmed up for the Northern Road Relays by finishing 32nd in the Good Friday 10k in the Isle of Man, representing Leeds University, recording 49.51. Catherine then went on to finish 21st in the Peel Hill Race the following day recording 24.39.

Southport Good Friday Races: 25 March:

Sarah Charnock took third place in this race behind internationals Pauline Powell (Blackburn) and Bev Jenkins (Salford) in a perfectly executed race which saw her take the bronze medal in the last 400 metres in a time of 24.34. Julia Eccleston (21st  : 28.16) was only eight seconds slower than last year despite lack of training through injury. Natalie Rhami continued to impress finishing 37th in 31.04, while there was a welcome return to competition for Pam Appleton (43rd : 31.56 - fourth over 50). Dorothy Fairhurst (77th : 35.10) was third over 60.

John Appleton was the club's sole representative in the men's race raking fourth place in the over 50 category, recording 24.44, while Steve Eccleston completed the course in 30.40 : 182nd.

Louise Hayes was 43rd - 14th female in the Fun Run in 13.42 with Mark Eccleston (104:17.09), Leon Rhami 130th :19.26, Ryan Tonks (141:20.59), Tony Tonks (156 :25.21) and Anthony Tonks (158 : 25.25) all completing the course. (Report by Phil Thomas) Results

Good Friday 10k : Salford 25 March

Cecilia Fitzsimons won the over 55 prize recording 46.03 in 302nd place, one position ahead of David Bradshaw, who recorded the same time. Club captain Ian Hayburn was 60th in 36.36. (Report by Ian Hayburn) Results

National Sports Hall Final - Birmingham - 20 March

Anthony Marsh finished 40th out of 80 competitors in the National Final with 187 points. His individual results were 2 Lap (21.30 - 23rd); Speed Bounce (80 - 19th) and standing long jump (2.50 - 13th). Many congratulations to Anthony on his historic achievement. (Information from Joe Ehlen).

Morecambe 20 Miles: 20 March

Karl Allender finished 64th in this race which was used by several club members as a warm up for the London Marathon. Karl recorded 2.23.30. A trio of ladies also ran Rosie O'Hagan recording 3.17.01 -263), Janet Holmes (3.17.01 - 290) and Pauline Picton (3.22.43 - 302). Further details when known.

Wilmslow Half Marathon : 20 March

Four club members tackled the North's premier half marathon with Gill Bacon knocking over 45 seconds off the club's previous ladies' record. Gill finished second lady in 81.56 with Sarah Charnock continuing her regular improvement by finishing 10th lady overall (6th under 35) in 87.17. Gill won her highest prize to date (and is buying when she goes to the Isle of Man!).Sarah was over 4 minutes inside her previous best. In the men's race Barry Graney was 59th in 79.55 in another personal best and Ian Pass 407th in 93.33. Mark Laithwaite, who has been injured, cycled to the event, joining at eight miles with three outriders and gave great support to the club's runners. (Report from Barry Graney). Results

Coniston 14 : 19 March

Sue Hanlon ran in this event, despite injury, and finished 945th in 2.07.46.

Miscellaneous Results : 13 March

Flora Liverpool Half Marathon: 13 March

Six club members ran in this race led by David Bradshaw who recorded 1.41.52 in 895th position to finish 20th out of 94 in the V55 category. Second home was Catherine Lambert whose 1.48.02 earned her 1402nd position (107 out of 598 ladies under 35). Sue O'Hanlon marked her debut with 1.53.18 in 1826th place, 22nd out of 45 in the veteran 45 class, remarkable as Sue was limping after five miles. Anthony Hargreaves was 2687th (118th out of 156 in the over 50 veterans) in 2.05.30. Dorothy Fairhurst cantered round in 2.09.35 the 7th over 60 out of 21 and 2935th overall. Geoff Hamon made up the sextet in 3212nd position (1548 out of 1652 senior men) in 2.15.59. A total of 3734 runners completed the course. (Report compiled by Phil Thomas from full results sheet and verbal records).

Cheshire Cross Country League: Macclesfield 13 March

Cecilia Fitzsimons was the only club member who competed in the final League match at Macclesfield where the senior women's race had less finishers than our own road race. Cecilia battled through to 19th place (13th veteran) in 22.47 and finished sixth in the veterans category for the season as a whole. Cecilia's consistency has already won her the club's senior ladies' cross country award.

Wigan Open Meeting: 13 March

While St Helens had a dull afternoon it snowed in Wigan where half a dozen athletes tested their fitness at Robin Park. Craig Knight won twice 100 (11.2), 200 (23.3). Ben Fisher scored two seconds 1.70 (high jump) and 55.48 (Javelin). He was beaten in the latter event by the 14 times Romanian champion and has taken his phone number to get a few hints!!

Mike Ehlen won the shot putt with 9.40, was equal first in the high jump with an outdoor record 1.70, after the official was finally persuaded that a jump off wasn't essential at a winter warm up meeting and took fourth place in the 200 in 28.4. Steve Knowles also cleared 1.70 for third place in the high jump.

Thaddeus Anim-Somuah was second in the 100 (11.7) and 200 (23.8), both personal bests, while Caroline Morley braved the cold to record 64.5 for second place in the 400.(Edited by Phil Thomas from information supplied by Joe Ehlen and Ben Fisher).

St Helens-Sutton 5K Road Race and Fun Run 13 March:

Tony Smith showed good pace judgement to become the first St Helens-Sutton club runner to win the 5K. Tony followed Jon Stewart (Holmfirth) up the hill on the final circuit but made his bid for victory in the last mile and came home 13 seconds clear. Greg Williams pulled through to take third place and with Ian White the first veteran back in fifth place the team race was sewn up. The ten club members who ran included Paul Forrester who travelled back from Norwich for the pleasure of competing on a breezy morning ideal for running.

The women's race was won by Michelle Whalley (Liverpool) but the team prize went to Sutton's Julia Eccleston, Chris Dempsey and Rosie O'Hagan. New girl Natalie Rhami was impressive in tenth place while eight of the nine girls who started for the club finished, Janet Holmes pulling out after feeling the effect of the hills. It won't stop her doing the Morecambe 20 next week though.

The Fun Run showed an increase in numbers, Jake Healy warming down after his run at the English Schools' won the race with Joanne Sturgeon the first girl home in  an excellent turn out by 28 members, including several who have recently joined the club.

Many thanks to John Irwin for setting the course, marshals Andy Drillingcourt, Dave Forrester, Steve Moran, Pam Appleton, Roseanne Hutchinson, Joe Ehlen, Louise Casey, plus Steve and Julia Eccleston (who both ran and marshalled). In addition thanks are due to Dave Morley & Julia Hayes for duties undertaken and to officials Jim Smith (Liverpool), Leo Carroll (Wirral), Robbie Wood (LPS), Bertie Knowles & Ron Scott (SouthportWaterloo).

To avoid a clash between our own event and the Liverpool half marathon we have moved our own race back a fortnight in 2006 and are awaiting confirmation of the proposed half marathon date.(Report from Phil Thomas) Results:

ESAA Championships : Norwich: 12 March

Three club members represented their schools' counties in the ESAA cross country championships in Norwich. In the intermediate boys' race Dave Forrester was sixth and as a result will run for England in the Home Countries International at Mold on April 2nd. This compensated for a below par performance from Greater Manchester who were fifth.

In the junior boys' race both John Dumbell (156) and Jake Healy (162), were fourth and fifth counters for the Merseyside team which finished 20th, each adding a number of notable scalps to their individual collections with excellent performances. (Edited by Phil Thomas from ESSA website) Results:

Sports Hall Finals at Kingsway, Widnes: 6 March

The club more than doubled its medal tally over 2004 by winning 13 with 5 gold, 6 silver and 2 bronze at the Sports Hall Finals held at Kingsway, Widnes.

The under 11 boys' team of Drew Atherton, Elliot Baron, James Evans, Dominic Garner, Andrew Hutchinson, Luke James, Ryan Marsh, Patrick McCormack, Grant Oldham and Dylan Riley were first in action, lifting the trophy with 112 points. Elliott Baron, who was injured competing, collected the trophy on behalf of the club.

Both the under 13 and under 15 Boys' improved by one place on their league positions. The under 13  quintet of John Ashcroft, Daniel Hughes, Paul Nicholas, Adam and Lee Taft scored 237 points to claim fourth place while Thaddeus Anim-Somuah, Mike Ehlen, Anthony Marsh and Matthew Pilling scored 186 points to take fifth spot.

Laura Crook was invited to the final as a guest and proceeded to win the six lap race and take second place in the shot putt.

Other highlights included Jill Marsh winning a basket of flowers and Louise Hayes's unexpected appearance in the Under 11 girls' Grand Prix. Joe Ehlen and Roseanne Hutchinson acted as team managers.

The teams' performance was supplemented by the never ending enthusiasm from parents and supporters alike. We all look forward to another successful season next year. (Report by Julia Hayes).

Cloud Nine Race : Congleton: 6 March

Sarah Charnock maintained her weekly racing routine by finishing fourth lady at the Cloud Nine race organised by Congleton Harriers, finishing 61st overall in 69.27. Just like a long Sunday run really.

Reebok Inter-Counties Championships at Nottingham. 5 March 2005.

Initial reports from Nottingham are that Dave Forrester was third in the under 15 Boys' race (taking second place in the Reebok Challenge as a consequence). Julia Eccleston celebrated her Merseyside debut by gurning in the snow on television and being the third Merseyside runner home. Chloe Wilson responded to the challenge that she put her back into it by putting her shoulder out (the other girl involved in the accident broke her ankle - so it could have been worse!!!!).

James Farghar made his Merseyside debut despite being unwell and an equally unwell Joanne Sturgeon took a good look at Nottingham ready for her medal winning performance in 2006. Jake Healey, despite being county champion, was placed third in the pen and suffered late in the race having been up with the leaders early on. Greg Williams had another consistent run, finishing as fifth Merseyside counter.

Ray Vose was assistant team manager. Everyone missed the bright sunshine of St Helens. Full information when known. Clips of Julia if we can get them. (Edited by Phil Thomas).

Results  Men   Women