ST HELENS Sutton AC members continue to be busy, both on the track and on the road.

The club's girls travelled to Macclesfield for the first round of the McDonalds League with a pleasing turn-out of both under-13 and under-15s.

For the under-13s, Jessica Crety ran 150 metres in 22.4 secs and long jumped 3.26 metres, with Vicky Johnson doing 23.3 secs and 3.40 metres for the same events. Kirsty Lewis put the shot 3.28 metres and ran 75 metres in 12.1 secs, a distance for which Sarah Lewis recorded the time of 11.2 secs. The four girls then made up the 4 x 100 metres relay team which recorded 59.4 secs.

Some of the older girls, who are allowed to compete in more events, had busy afternoons. Caroline Morley ran 200 metres in 29.0 secs, the 75 metres hurdles in 13 secs and high-jumped 1.20 metres. Anna Sheffield ran 100 metres in 14.4 secs, long-jumped 4.17 metres and threw the discus 12.49 metres. Rachel Pitfield ran 100 metres in 15.1 secs, high-jumped 1.15 metres and put the shot 5.21 metres. Jodi Nelson ran 1,500 metres in 5 mins 14.4 secs, threw the javelin 22.02 metres and the discus 18.22 metres. Sarah O'Donnell ran 200 metres in 29.3 secs and long-jumped 3.56 metres, and Joanne Brown put the shot 6.56 metres.

Caroline, Sarah, Anna and Rachel then made up the 4 x 100 metres team which ran 56.4 secs.

A number of the club's under-13s boys took part in the meeting organised by the Salford Metropolitan club.

Ryan Tapley achieved a National Grade 4 standard in running 14.8 secs. for the 100 metres, and, in addition he put the shot 4.67 metres. Daryl Banks ran 200 metres in 34.9 secs and the 800 metres in 3 mins 7.3 secs. Richard Robinson ran 200 metres in 35 secs, the 1,500 metres in 6 mins 46.5 secs, and long-jumped 3.30 metres. Michael Burke ran the 800 metres in 2 mins 49.4 secs and long-jumped 2.26 metres. Liam Fairhurst ran 100 metres in 18.6 secs, 1,500 metres in 6 mins 56.3 secs and put the shot 3.49 metres.

Liam, Daryl, Richard and Ryan then combined to make the 4 x 100 metres relay team.

At the same meeting, under-17s athlete Luke Benyon won the shot put with a throw of 23.97 metres and also ran 57.2 secs for the 400 metres.

Three of the club's vets competed in the Northern Veterans Half-Marathon Championships with two of the them coming away with awards.

Janet Holmes took third place in the over-45 years ladies event with a time of 2 hours 5 mins 32 secs, and John Irwin took third spot in the over-55 years mens event with his time of 2 hours 2 mins 56 secs. Alan Davies, running in the over-55s group, finished in 2 hours 7 mins 39 secs.

Another veteran, John Appleton, running in the Chorley Harriers 10-mile race at Worden Park, Leyland, ran the pleasing time for a difficult course of 64 mins 55 secs.