RUNNERS from across the north west descended on Warrington on Sunday for the 34th running of the Birchwood 10k.

The annual event, organised by the Birchwood-based Spectrum Striders club, saw more than 1,000 athletes from local clubs complete a course on roads and paths around Birchwood and Croft, starting near Birchwood Railway and finishing on Birchwood Boulevard.

The overall race winner was Stockport Harriers’ Jack Martin, who came home in a time of 31mins 2secs, which was fast enough to break the course record of 31mins 26secs set by Blackburn Harriers runner Ben Fish in 2014.

Kirsty Longley, of Liverpool Pembroke and Sefton Harriers, was the fastest woman on the course after finishing in 36mins 52secs.

Warrington Athletics Club were also well-represented in local territory, with Janis Norviss leading the way.

Her time of 40mins 21secs was good enough for 84th place.

Ryan and Lauren Sutton finished with the same time of 45mins 40secs, which saw them into 240th and 241st place respectively, while Kelly Crossley (46mins 41secs, 275th place) and Linda Dykes (1hr 3mins 17secs, 817th place) completed the club’s runners for the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Warrington Athletics Club members have been busy in competitions further afield, including prolific Masters runner Nick Jones.

The Grappenhall athlete, who holds the V40 Northern Masters title in eight distances, braved some very hot weather at the Ellesmere Port Running Club 5k event to come home in fourth place, finishing with a time of 16mins 1 sec.

Nick’s son Jordan was also in action even further afield as he had a successful evening at the Northern Track Championships in Middlesbrough.

He competed in the Under 15 boy’s 3000m race and he produced a superb run to finish in fourth place.

Jones’ time of 9mins 44secs was also a new personal best for the distance.

Dave Gill represented Warrington Athletics Club in West Yorkshire as he travelled to compete in the National Fire Service 5-mile Road Championships.

On a hilly course around Bradford, Gill also put in an excellent performance to come home in second place after finishing in a time of exactly 33 minutes.