RUNNING: HELSBY'S Kathryn Roberts was the second woman finisher in Saturday's third event of the Liverpool and District Cross-Country Union season.

The race took place at Stadt Moers Country Park, near Huyton, where Roberts took 81st position.

Graham McAra finished 57th in 34:51, Andy Smith was 80th in 38:08, Vanessa Griffiths was 107th in 41:18 and Joe Beswick was 115th in 47:33.

The following day, McAra and Smith were joined by Steph Charman for a trip to Shropshire for the Cardington Cracker fell race - a category-A medium event over nine miles, with 2,600ft of climb.

Thirteen Helsby runners competed in the second event in the Borders Winter League of road races. Over a 5.2-mile undulating and scenic course in Mold, John Wycherley came second in 26:41. He was followed by Graham MacNeil in fifth in 27:11.

Richard Stradling was 68th in 30:49, Graham McAra 83rd in 31:30, Max Taylor 103rd in 32:24, Andy Smith 128th in 34:05, Robbie Webster 140th in 34:46 and Graham Lloyd 141st in 34:55. Vanessa Griffiths was 144th overall and 12th woman in 35:04, while Cliff Broom was 177th in 37:26.

Carol Shaw and Sarah Gooda came in close together in 38:15 and 38:16 for 184th and 185th overall, 24th and 25th women. Henri Grice was 34th woman and 200th overall in 39:13.

On the same day, John Dearden was second in the Vet-60 category at the David Staff Memorial Fell Race in Darwen. He finished 70th overall on the five-mile course in 49:51.