Inter-Counties and World Trial Races - Nottingham 24 February

Dave Forrester finished seventh in the under 20 race and has been invited to the preparations for the World Junior Cross Country Championships, although at this point he is amongst the reserve athlete. Nonetheless it is a remarkable achievement to finish so high against lads considerably older than himself. In addition, Dave led the Merseyside team into its only set of medals of the day, bronze.

In the senior ladies' race Gill Laithwaite (53) and Julia Eccleston (248) represented Merseyside while Sarah Charnock (146) and Gemma Connolly (189) were both in Cheshire's counting six.

Greg Williams was back to his pre-American visit form for the senior men's team, finishing 183rd, fourth counter for Merseyside, while Jamie White was sixth counter for Merseyside after he also finished 183rd in his race.

Results

Standish Trail Race - Wigan 24 February

Four of our vivacious ladies took part in this event. Karen Jarvis (51.37), Chris Dempsey 54.41 and Chris Dickinson taking third, fourth and fifth place respectively in the over 45 category. Dorothy Fairhurst (70.44) was the second over 60 to finish. Andrew Gaskell made his club debut finishing 48th overall in 47.15.

Results

Village Bakery Half Marathon - Wrexham 18 February

Carl Parry contested this event finishing 23rd in 77.40.

Parbold Hill Race: 17 February

The second Grand Prix race of 2006 attracted 14 club athletes, eight men and six ladies. Sarah Charnock (3), Julia Eccleston (9) and Greg Williams (10) producing the best individual performances while Karen Jarvis (20) made the team which, despite Julia's best mathematical calculations, gave the girls second place behind  Horwich. Barry Graney (20) and Rob Marsh (25) gave the men's team third place on the day, backed by Ian Hayburn (32), Matt Shillabeer (27), Ian Pass (101), A Gaskell (143) and Karl Allender (168). The ladies' B team were seventh, Jo Clisham-Marsh (26), Chris Dempsey (30) and Chris Dickinson (49) completing the count.

Results

Nick Beer 10k - Llandudno. 11 February

Matt Cullen finished fourth (34.19) in this race which has been popular with road runners over the years.

Manchester & District Area League - Stockport - 11 February

The club won four individual and a set of team medals at Woodbank Park in the final Manchester League match. Sarah Charnock and Gemma Connelly finished second and third in the aggregate contest after finishing third and ninth respectively on the day. Sarah's place in the Cheshire team for the inter-counties was confirmed on the day and Gemma is also in the county team for Nottingham. Congratulations to both girls.

Chelsea Jarvis was second in the under 11 race on the day but won the aggregate competition while Jemma Shaw's steady performances during the season earned her third place while Jemma and Heather Drilingcourt were present to collect the bronze medals in the team event with the others going to Lauren Bradshaw and Elizabeth Mousdale.

Julia Eccleston (16) and Karen Jarvis (27) completed the team count, Jo Clisham-Marsh (31), Chris Dempsey (42), Chris Dickinson (45) and Sue Clague (52) securing an excellent turnout. The team were  fifth overall.

Chelsea was supported by Chloe Rigby (23) and Alesha Kane (24) while the under 13 squad consisted of  Kathryn Rumsey (20), Kathryn Wilson, Sophie Rigby (29) and Rachel Wilcock (32).

Jamie White (6) and Joe Williams (21) were the under 13 Boys' athletes, Jamie finishing fourth on aggregate. Adam Fackey (11) John Ashcroft (12) and Danny Hughes (21) ran for the Under 15's.

Julia Eccleston doubled up as team manager with assistance from Sue Clague, there was plenty of parental support and transport was provided by Christine Dempsey amongst others.

Results

Liverpool & District Championships - Clarke's Gardens - 11 February

After two successive seasons collecting the bronze medals the club stepped up a gear to take the silver medals at the Liverpool & District Championship producing a very solid team performance to beat third placed West Cheshire by 84 points. Marc Laithwaite  (6), Tony Smith (9) and Greg Williams (16) set the pace, Barry Graney(20), Russell Baron (23) and Robbie Marsh (27) packing well for a well earned second place.

There was enough depth for a B team with Ian Hayburn (39), a week after contracting chicken pox, Ray Vose (43), Ian Costello (45), Denis Wharton (82), Ian Pass (93) and Stan Erlam (110) completed a good turn out.

Results

Open Meeting : Sportcity 7 February

Craig Knight started his season in record breaking style recording 7.29 in the 60m and running 7.31 for the same distance later in the evening. Both times were inside the previous indoor best of 7.35 set by Craig himself at Sheffield in November 2005. Once he starts his speed work he'll get even quicker. Andy McDonagh ran the 400m in 55.07 on his return to competition.

Alsager 5 : 4 February.

A trio of intrepid ladies braved the fog to travel to Alsager to compete in the popular five mile road race. Julia Eccleston was 65th lady in 34.57, Karen Jarvis, 10th O45 veteran (37.45) and Chris Dickinson 14th lady in the same age group (39.46).

County Schools' Championships: 3 February.

Club members represented St Helens MBC at the Merseyside Schools' championships held in foggy conditions at Clarke's Gardens, Allerton.

The best individual result was by Jemma Shaw who finished fifth to the embarrassment of the Merseyside County selectors who failed to pick her for the Inter-Counties championship at Nottingham in three weeks time. Heather Drillingcourt and Lauren Bradshaw were amongst the team counters who finished fifth, Sophie Rigby providing backup.

Andrew Cowley collected a medal by finishing sixth individual in the year seven race, an excellent performance from a newcomer. Andy Harvey was a creditable thirteenth in the same race.

John Ashcroft ran a cracker in the junior boys event (something to do with him wanting to get back for the match!!) for sixth place and a real chance of qualifying for the ESAA Championships in Leeds.

In the same competition Jamie White and Jamie Webb were tenth and thirteenth respectively against lads a year older than themselves. David Griffiths and Joe Williams made sure the town finished fourth after Danny Hughes went down with illness during the race.

Ben Clough was ruled out with 'flu which meant that John Dumbell, Adam Fackey, Jake Healy and Steve Clague all had to finish to make the team count which they did taking fifth overall.

The year seven girls also finished a team, taking third place, Rachel Wilcock (11), Kathryn Wilson (18) and Louise Hayes (32) amongst the counters on this occasion.

Phil Thomas acted as team manager and there was plenty of assistance from parents, including Mrs Bradshaw who provided transport for several Sutton girls. Helena Whitley was on hand to assist while John Irwin and Andy Drillingcourt provided round the course walking trips. There was plenty of excellent banter to warm the chill air.

The turn out was up on last year and represents continuing progress in the integration of club and local authority in the interests of the town's athletes. Results have been sent to all competitors who are on email.

David Forrester won the Greater Manchester Schools' championship at Marple Hall School ahead of his two rivals Simon Horsfield and Ross Millington to clinch a place at the ESAA Championship unless he qualifies for Mombassa.