Princes Parkrun - Saturday 28th September

15 club members made an early start to take part in the latest leg of the Club Championship and travelled over to Liverpool for the Princes Park Parkrun.

Barry Graney and Ian Costello had fantastic runs, both finishing in the top 10 with Barry narrowly missing out on 3rd place in a sprint finish by just 100th of a second. They recorded 18.20 (4th) and 18.24 (6th) respectively.

Antony Young completed the men's contingent finishing in his best time this year of 23.43 in 60th position overall.

Once again the Senior Ladies put the men's team to shame with a superb turnout.

Karen Mawdsley was first to finish in 27.43 followed by Dot Fairhurst (28.09), Karen Harrison (28.20), Rachel Wilcock (28.38), Rachel Beesely (31.16), Laura Anthony (31.58), Karen Young (32.17), Pauline Picton (35.02), Andrea Beesely (37.42), Kay Wilcock (39.23), Wendy Anthony (41.10),  

Rosie Dyer also had a superb run as our only Junior finishing in 109th place in a time of 27.16 in her 1st ever Parkrun. Well done Rosie.

Results
 

Red Rose League Cross Country

With one eye on the Cross Country Season,  Andy O'Connor ran as a guest in the Red Rose League at Leigh on Saturday. He finished in 41:22 and finished 46th vet out of 122 and 105th out of 214 overall.

Time to clean off those trail shoes and spikes, the hills and the mud are coming.  Cross country fixtures are now added to the fixture list.

 

Billy McMinnis 1915-2013

St Helens-Sutton A C regret to announce the death of club president R W 'Billy' McMinnis who passed away on Saturday 21 September 2013, aged 98.

Billy started running at the age of 21 in the 1936/37 cross country season and quickly made his mark by anchoring Sutton Harriers to the Northern cross country title at Worsley. In 1939 Billy was again in the team which won the title and when cross country resumed in 1946/47 was in the team which won five consecutive Northern titles and four National titles (they finished second to Belgrave in 1948). Between 1947 and 1953 the team was unbeatable in the West Lancs Championships Billy capping their 1953 victory by winning the individual title at West Kirby.

Billy's stamina came from two sources. When he started running all athletes received a massage after training and Billy didn't like the cold hands of the club's masseur so a team-mate advised him to stay out longer and miss the massage. The other was the fact that Billy's job was as a P E instructor in the RAF and he would run each morning from his home to the RAF station at Padgate, spent the entire day teaching and demonstrating PE before running home in the evening, a round trip of 14 miles a day, followed by a race on Saturdays. During the summer fitness was maintained by participating in the popular two mile track team races, especially against local but friendly rivals Pembroke.

Billy moved on to longer distances winning the Liverpool, Polytechnic and AAA Marathons, making a dramatic entrance into veterans' athletics by winning world titles at 5000m and 10000m. He always looked resplendent in his blazer and never lost that military bearing which he acquired during his time in the RAF.

Our thoughts are with his wife Doreen and daughter Elizabeth and other members of the McMinnis family. The funeral will take place at St Helens Crematorium on Monday 30 September at 2.30.p.m.

Liverpool Grand 10k, Aintree

Luke Towers marked his return to competition by claiming third place with veterans Maurice Collins and Denis Wharton also completing the course.

                3 Luke Towers 36.04

                29 Maurice Collins 42.39

                34 Denis Wharton 42.57

Juniors Indoor Training

From Tuesday 1st October we will start to have use of the indoor sportshall for training. We will be applying the same schedule as last year.

                Tuesday               7pm - 8pm -> Sportshall Competition Group

                Thursday             6pm - 7pm -> Beginners Groups

                Thursday             7pm - 8pm -> Sprints, Throws and Multi Event athletes

If you are not planning on competing in the Sportshall League then you will be outside as normal on both nights. All athletes should still pay at the club house and wait there for coaches.

Forthcoming Competitions

Date	Competition	Location	Team Manager	Age Groups
21st Sept	Northern Road Relays	Blackpool	Helena McGoldrick	U13 upwards
22nd Sept	Open T&F Medal	Blackpool AC	Individual entry	Under 11’s upwards
5th Oct	Northern XC Relays	TBC	Helena McGoldrick	U13 upwards
6th Oct	Rainford 1km Fun Run	Rainford, St Helens	None	None
19th Oct	MACCL Cross Country	Heaton Park, Manc'r	Helena McGoldrick	U13 upwards
20th Oct	NW Sportshall League	Kingsway, Widnes	Ant Young	U11 (min age 9)-U15
10th Nov	MACCL Cross Country	Woodbank Park, Stockport	Helena McGoldrick	U11 upwards

 

Club AGM

A reminder that the club AGM takes place on 30th September at 7.30pm at the Bull & Dog over the road from the club, by Lea Green Station. All members are invited to attend and we have some very important news to share regarding the clubs future.

Other Events

If there is enough interest we would like to take part in the World Marathon and 1500m Challenges for Save the Children on Thursday 17th October. The idea is that teams of athletes run short relay legs in an attempt to beat the World Record. The 1500m event is aimed at newer, less experienced athletes and the Marathon distance is for experienced juniors, parents and senior athletes. If you would like to register your interest as an athlete or volunteer please go to the Notice Boards at the club.

On Friday 25th October at West Park RUFC on Prescot Rd we will be holding this year's Wine Tasting Experience for members, friends & family. Tickets are only £9.50 for which you get at least 6 glasses of decent wines and take part in the quiz to match the wines to their tasting notes. Please buy your tickets ASAP from the club.

Northern Road Relays, Stanley Park, Blackpool : Saturday 21 September 2013

19 athletes travelled to Stanley Park, Blackpool to compete in the Northern Road Relay. The conditions were ideal and dry.

First off for the club were the under 13 boys:  Joe Houghton started the boys’ team off and ran strongly to finish in 11:50. Daniel Dobson competed in his first road relay and ran fantastically to finish in 12:09. Reece Ellis was on third leg and brought the team home in 13:23. The team came 16^th.

The under 13 girls were led off by Lucy Price. She ran a superb race and finished in 14:15. Sian Glynn kept the team in a good position and finished in 17:50. Bethany Haughey ran extremely well and ran the 3km course in 16:18. The girls came 26^th overall.

The club had a strong under 15 boys team. On first leg, Adam Woosey ran a brilliant race to finish strongly in 10:47 and Connor Whalley represented the club, running a fantastic leg. He finished in 12:37. And finally, Karl Lyon brought the team home in 12:43 he ran very well. The team finished in 24^th.

Emily Ashton led the under 15 girls off and managed to finish despite an injury. She finished in 19:18. Ellie Mawdsley kept up the teams high spirits and completed the course in 15:38. Alex Glynn ran excellent on last leg; she finished in a time of 15:27.  The girls finished in 26^th position.

Three of the under 17 women competed for the club. They were led off by Rachel McGoldrick who covered the 3300m course in 14:45. Maddie Williams ran superb to finish in 15:04 and finally Maria McGoldrick brought the team home in 16:27. Overall they finished in 17^th.

Barry Graney led out the Senior Men, completing the first leg of the 6600m course in 23:55, Ian Costello ran strongly to finish in 24:02. Ian Hayburn finished the course in 25:11 whilst Simon Anim-Somuah covered the distance in 27:03. Meanwhile Andy O’Connor completed his leg in 27:33 and Ian Roberts held the team together to finish in 27:21. The team finished in 70^th. 

A big well done to all competitors!!  Senior Men Results  Junior Results

Team manager: Helena

Seniors Club Championship

The totals have now been amended to include all July & August training points plus the NW Road Relays.

The men's table hasn't altered much with the Top 4 athletes very close together, Ian Roberts just holds onto 1st place closely followed by Barry Graney, Jamie White and Gary Oldham.

The ladies table has had a change at the top. Two great races by Helena McGoldrick added to maximum attendance over the summer has seen her edge into a 1 point lead over both Sonya Monaghan and Dot Fairhurst. Another 5 or 6 athletes are then within catching distance of the leaders so Group Training and attendance at the remaining fixtures will be crucial in deciding the outcome of this inaugural championship.

Remaining Fixtures 

21st Sept	Northern Road Relays	Blackpool	various	www.noeaa-athletics.org.uk
28th Sept	Princes Parkrun	Liverpool	5KM	www.parkrun.org.uk/
29th Sept	Macclesfield Half	Macclesfield	13M	www.ukforms.net/onlineforms/php/Applicant.php?EventID=2027
6th Oct	Chester Marathon	Chester	26M	www.activeleisureevents.co.uk/full-marathon.aspx
6th Oct	Gin Pit 5 Trail	Tyldesley	5M	www.astleyrunners.co.uk/html/our_races.html

 

 

Alan Davies  1944 – 2013

We regret to announce that Alan Davies who competed for the club in the 1970’s and 1980’s passed away on Monday 9 September aged 69. Alan’s son Anthony and daughter Louisa also represented the club and our thoughts are with them and the rest of the family at this time. Alan’s niece, Sharon Davies, also represented the club in the early 1980’s.

Alan was never the fastest runner in the world but always took pride in finishing the course. Those of us who remember attending the National cross country championships at Parliament Hill will never forget waiting a long time for Alan and John Irwin to return to the hotel after the pair had been so busy talking they had missed changing trains on the way back!!!!  

The funeral will take place at St Helens Crematorium on Friday 20 September at 2.30.p.m.

Arnold Seddon Memorial Meeting - Wigan 15th September

6 Young Athletes made the short trip to Wigan for the Open Medal Meeting in awful conditions.

Hollie Brussels completed a full set of medals in the U9 Girls events winning Gold for Long Jump (PB), Silver for 75m and Bronze for 600m

Dylan O'Brien competed in Long Jump, 75M and 600m doing really well in driving rain and wind.

Caitlin Young took Silver in the 100m and also competed in Long Jump and 300m

 Jessica Leonard stepped up to the 300m distance for the 1st time and was rewarded with Silver in a hard fought race, she then rounded off the day with another Silver in 200m as conditions worsened.

Matthew Lamb excelled again in the sprints zooming to two gold's in 100m and 200m.  Even his fellow competitors thought that he was "rapid"

Well done all 6!

Results

Cheshire Multi Events Championships - Macclesfield 15th September

Yet again St Helens Sutton showed that we have some extremely talented multi event athletes coming through the ranks.

Megan Lang bettered her 3rd place from 2012 in emphatic style with PB's in High Jump, 800m and Hurdles setting her up nicely for a great win in the U15 girls category.

Christopher Lamb also featured in the prize giving with 3rd place in the U15 boys after doing 80m hurdles for the 1st time, achieving a PB in Long Jump and then winning the Shot and 800m competitions.

Appearing at the championships for the 1st time were Jorden Pilkington and Lauren Marshall in the U13 girls events. Lauren won the 100m race with a new PB of 14.1 seconds, further results to follow later.

North West Road Relays, Lancaster : Sunday 15^th September 2013.

19 athletes travelled to Lancaster to compete in the North West Road Relays. In cold, wet and windy conditions the club managed to come away with medals.

Firstly, the under 13 girls was made up of 3 athletes who competed in their first road relay for the club. Bethany Haughey, Sian Glynn and Lucy Price all ran strong individual legs. They got a bronze medal!

Also the under 13 boys took part in their first road relay. Joe Houghton was on first leg for the team and ran superb; Reece Ellis represented the club for the first time and ran excellent. Meanwhile, Matthew Slevin brought the team home, running brilliantly. The boys earned themselves a silver medal!

Whereas the under 15 girls was made up of Emily Ashton, Alex Glynn and Ellie Mawdsley. Emily Ashton led the team off and competed for the first time. Each individual ran fantastically and they got a bronze medal!

Solo runner Sam Thompson gained experience and ran very strong. He came home in 10^th position overall. Well done!

Meanwhile, the under 17 girls team consisted of Rachel McGoldrick, Maddie Williams and Maria McGoldrick. The girls also ran well receiving the bronze medal too!

The senior men’s team lost a couple of runners in the days leading up to the race but still started two teams.  The first team consisted of Ian Roberts, Simon Anim-Somuah, Ian Hayburn and Barry Graney. The men also had Gary Oldham and Andy O’Connor in the second team. 

Results

Well done to all competitors. Hope to see you all next week!

Team manager: Helena

BUPA Great North Run - 15th September

3 ladies made the trip up to Newcastle for the Great North Run.

Joanne Keogh completed the course in 1.55.13, Amanda Coogan in 2.07.08 and Karen Harrison in 2.1.3.35, well done ladies!

BUPA Great North 5KM Run - 14th September

Vicky Hewitt from the Beginners Group successfully completed the BUPA 5KM run in Newcastle in a time of 44.01 raising funds for The Steve Prescott Foundation.

Well done Vicky, great progress and superb effort.

Princes Parkrun - 14th September

 4 club members raced in the Princes Park Parkrun (5KM) on Saturday.

 Well done to Karen Young and Kay Wilcock who both achieved PB's (32.15 & 38.14 respectively). Karen was 3rd on age category and Kay 3rd in hers!

Chris Dempsey recorded a time of 28.36 which placed her 2nd in age category and Antony Young continued his recovery with a time of 24.08 placing him 5th in category.

Liverpool Jumps and Throws Meeting - Blackpool 14th September

Taylor Caton-Hand won the long jump and triple jump at the Liverpool jumps and throws meeting on 14 September, with Michael Hughes, who won the hammer competition the previous week at Blackpool competing in the hammer, discus and shot, the latter alongside Steven Winn.

Bill McMinnis

Our president Bill McMinnis has been taken unwell and is currently in Whiston Hospital.  Bill, at 98, is the last surviving member of the legendary Sutton Harriers team that won the National Cross Country title four years out of five between 1947 and 1951.

We wish Bill well and our thoughts are with his family at this time.