British Athletics' Writers Award:

David Forrester was voted the Best British Junior Athlete by the British Athletics' Writers Association at a ceremony in London. David, who set the best 1500m time by a British Junior in over a quarter of a century, spoke with Sebastian Coe (who ran the odd 1500m himself) and comes hard on the heels of a financial award provided by Liverpool University in support of his athletics while at University. Apparently details of the Writers' Award will be published in the next issue of Athletics Weekly.

Manchester & District League - Heaton Park, Manchester 25 October

Matthew Crehan, Jamie White and Chelsea Jarvis each won their age group races on a cold and wet   October afternoon in the splendid grounds of Heaton Park. Matthew ran to the start having arrived as the runners were on the line, Jamie's victory was the first of his career and Chelsea led a strong under 13 team home. In addition there were three team wins as the U17 Boys' trio of Matthew Crehan (1), John Ashcroft (6) and David T Griffiths (9) finished first supported by Jake Healy (11) and Danny Hughes (DNF) who unfortunately hurt his ankle.

The U17 girls' trio of Natalie Garrity(5), Heather Drillingcourt (7) and Lauren Bradshaw (9) ran the opposition out of sight with Siobhan Hattersley (11) providing excellent support in the mud. In addition the U15 Boys' team of Jamie White (1), Jamie Webb (8) and newcomer Nathan Brown (18) won their team event.

The U13 Girls' team of Chelsea Jarvis (1), Rachel Woosey (11) and Emma McCartney (12) lie third after match one with Vicky Lamb also in contention.. The Boys' team were one down which left Matthew Atherton (14) and Alex Bleakley (18) to complete the course as an incomplete team but they can rectify the situation in future matches.

Kim Taylor completed one lap of the two lap junior ladies' course and wisely withdrew to resume her efforts in the next match at Boggart Hole Clough in three weeks' time. There's plenty of hills to practice on in Sherdley Park before then.

There was an excellent urn out of senior ladies led by Gemma Connolly (10) with veterans Louise Hogg (23), Karen Jarvis (29) and Jo Clisham-Marsh (44) thoroughly enjoying their contributions to the top six team placing. The girls are also well placed in the veterans' contest in which Christine Dickinson (75) and Christine Dempsey (76) also appeared in support.

The senior men completed a team in the open competition for the first time and it will be interesting to see how well they have done in the team contest. Led by Ian White (64), the six were anchored by Steve Tate (108) with Robbie Marsh (79), Maurice Collins (82), Jim Crehan (89) and Peter Johnson (95) slotted in nicely between. There was also support from Paul Carrier (119), who found the going tough but will improve next time out, Dennis Wharton (152), Ian Hayburn (173) and Chris Levy (187). Tony Raffle also started the race. The team finished thirteenth just one point behind West Cheshire.

Elsewhere, Rosie Johnson travelled to Bury where she finished second competing as a guest in the Red Rose League's under 11 girls' race.

Results:   Junior  Senior

David Myers:

David Myers, the former Widnes, Wigan, Salford, Warrington and Bradford rugby league player who died in an accident on the M6 in Cheshire on Tuesday 21 October, was a member of Sutton Harriers in the early 1980's. Although rugby was always David's first love he turned out in a number of club races including the Open Track and Field Meeting at Kirkby on 18 August 1985 when he finished third in the 100 Boys' race in 13.0. Within a couple of years he had signed for Widnes and six years later he was at Wembley scoring a vital try for Wigan in the Challenge Cup Final victory over St Helens. Our sincere sympathies go to his family.

Julia Returns: Southport Seaside 10k 19 October

Julia Eccleston returned to competition after a six month absence to claim second place in the over 35 contest at the Southport Seaside 10k race, finishing sixteenth lady overall. Peter Johnson, also returned to road racing, finishing 30th.

Results

National Young Athletes Road Relays - Sutton Coldfield - 19 October

The club provided three teams for the National Young Athletes Road Relays run in bitterly cold weather at Sutton Coldfield. The under 13 girls' team of Rachel Woosey, Sally Ashton and Emma McCartney combined well to finish fortysecond while the U17 girls' team of Heather Drillingcourt, Natalie Garrity and debutant Siobhan Hattersley were thirtyfourth.

Matt Crehan made history when he led the field after the first lap, recording the fifth fastest time overall. As far as is known this is the first time the club has ever led any national road relay at any time. John Ashcroft and Jake Healy demonstrated the club has strength in depth in this age group, finishing sixteenth overall, while the B team of David T Griffiths, Danny Hughes and Adam Fackey took fiftyfourth place.

Many thanks to Julia Hayes for acting as team manager, for parents who provided transport, especially those who gave lifts to other people's children, including Mrs Ashton, Mrs Ashcroft, Mrs Fackey, Andy Drillingcourt and others I've probably overlooked.

One such parent showed her own appreciation, emailing the following, "I would like to thank Julia and Louise for getting up at the crack of dawn on a Sunday morning, standing in the cold for seven hours (walking the course to keep warm). Sometimes we forget what others do to allow things to run smoothly and that there is no personal gain involved." Some parents have expressed their thanks with telephone calls which club volunteers always appreciate. Of course there will always be those who take it all for granted but, thankfully, they remain in the minority.  Results

Elsewhere:

Rosie Johnson took the opportunity on Saturday to compete as a guest in the U11 race at Red Rose League match at Blackburn finishing second in 6.28.

At the other end of the age scale (but don't say I said so) several members ran in the Northern Veterans 10 miles championship which started in fog at Lytham St Annes and was completed in glorious sunshine. John Appleton (71.42) was seventh M55, Pam Appleton (85.00) third W55, Linda White (92.45) seventh W45, Dorothy Fairhurst (95.13) second W65 and Pauline Picton seventh W55 in 1.44.38. And - wait for it - the W55 ladies were the first team!!!!! Many congratulations. Results

Manchester University Cross Country Relays: Wythenshawe 11 October

The club was able to turn out two dozen athletes (two teams of six) at the Manchester University relays. The A team was Ian Costello (12.37), Peter Johnson(12.27), Ian White (12.50), Danny Hughes (12.39), Robbie Marsh (12.45) and David T Griffiths (12.42). They finished 33rd with everyone running within 23 seconds of each other. Brilliant team selection from Ian Hayburn. The B team on this occasion was Jim Crehan (13.21), Steve Tate (13.24), John Skinley(15.03) , Ian Hayburn (14.16), Denis Wharton (14.14) and Tony Raffle (16.09). I cannot recall the club contesting this event before although I do remember Ron Hill at the peak of his career running all six legs and finishing in the top half dozen. That's how good his generation were. Further Information when available. Info from Ian Hayburn (not the piece about Ron Hill  he's too young to remember it)

Steve Moran and Matthew Stone competed for the Leeds Met C team. Matthew ran a brilliantly fast 300m, at which point he was leading, but decided to slow down and record 13.45. Steve decided to slow down from the start then speeded up to record 15.54, overtaking a Manchester runner in the sprint finish. The team finished 57th. Info from Steve Moran

Results

John Irwin

Had his long awaited operation on Thursday 9 October and appears to have recovered well. He is, however, out of action for at least six weeks (the period during which he is unable to drive) and for some considerable time after that. We wish him well and hope for his full return to health.

2009 Honours

David Forrester received an Excellent Achievement Award and Dave's coach Ray Vose a Coaching Achievement Award at The Daily Telegraph and Norwich Union School Sport Matters Awards Ceremony at Twickenham Stadium on Tuesday 7 October.  In typical modest fashion neither of them broadcast it and it was only diligent research which dug out the information.. Our congratulations to them both.

Northern Track and Field League 2009

The opposition in division 2 (west) next year is Blackpool Wyre and Fylde, Liverpool Pembroke-Sefton, Manx, SouthportWaterloo and West Cheshire. The dates and venues are:

May 2    Warrington;    June 6    Litherland;    July 5    Ellesmere Port;    August 2    Blackpool.

The first match clashes with BUPA so if you think you will be at BUPA that weekend please let me know as early as possible.    Phil Thomas

Merseyside Cross Country Championships - Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, Saturday 10 January 2009

Entry fees are being collected for the above championships. £2.50 seniors (Ian Hayburn/Sue Clague) and £2 all other age groups. Please pay early to avoid missing this important event. Details of other county championships will be posted when they are available.

Here and There:

Dennis Wharton completed the Great North Run in 1.33.13, finishing 1055, 30th veteran over 50 while Chris Levy was the 80th runner across the line in the Liverpool 10k. As far as we know they were the only individuals from the club to contest either of these overpriced, over-hyped races, although, of course, I'm sure they both enjoyed their endeavours and should be congratulated for their efforts. Information has be received that Dorothy Fairhurst ran the Great North run but no specific details are known.

Northern Young Athletes Road Relay Championships - 5 October.

The club produced a series of excellent results at the Northern Young Athletes Road Relay Championships held at Croxteth Park, Liverpool.

The Under 17 Boys' trio of John Ashcroft, Matthew Crehan and Jake Healy finished fourth, the club's best ever result in this championship. They were ably backed by Danny "Two Plasters" Hughes, David T Griffiths and Adam Fackey in 25th place.

The U17 girls were a splendid ninth, another good result by Natalie Garrity, Jemma Shaw and Heather Drillingcourt and very close to our Merseyside rivals from Wirral and Liverpool.

Adam White again anchored the U15's to a finish, taking 26th, with Jamie White tenth fastest overall and Jamie "Respect" Webb gaining a place on lap two.

The U15 trio of Louise Hayes, Rachel Wilcock and Jenny Lamb were 32nd and the U13 threesome of Rachel Woosey, Rosie Johnson and Emma McCartney (the last two making their debuts) were 17th.

Unfortunately, the U13 Boys had an incomplete team, although Chris Garrity was 23rd on lap one and Adam Bleakley, making his debut, 24th on lap two, learning that eating just before a race is not the wisest policy.

Julia Hayes was team manager, coaches John Irwin, Andy Drillingcourt, Adrian and Lyn Webb were in attendance, Sue Clague provided support while Phil Thomas tried to look useful in between eating biscuits and ice creams. There was plenty of parental support across the age groups, even from those who watched St Helens lose to Leeds in the previous night's Grand Final (Oops, that's the one thing they said not to mention!!!!).

Results

North West Sports Hall League: Wigan 5 October.

Although no specific event details are available at the moment the initial report of the above match is that the following athletes competed in the opening match of the season.

U11 Boys : Daniel Elston, Jamie Dinnarr, Callum Baxter, Jonathan Causer and Scot Houghton (115 points 3rd Place)

U13 Boys : Ryan Houghton (35 points 4th Place)

U13 Girls : Sally Ashton, Elisha Cain, Bethany Baxter and Shelby Jack (98 points 5th Place)

U15 Girls : Liane Bibby, Tricia Spark and Joanna Bebington (106 points 3rd place)

Well done to everyone.

Information from Carl Bibby (Results link when available).