OLYMPIAN Suzanne Rigg’s whistle-stop return from the USA to visit family and friends just happened to coincide with Sunday’s Warrington Running Festival so she decided to take part and won the half marathon in the women’s over 55s age group.

Back in 1996, during her 18 years living in the town and when competing for Warrington Athletics Club for whom she is a life member, Suzanne represented Great Britain in the 1996 Olympics marathon in Atlanta.

Warrington Guardian: Suzanne Rigg, right, and Warriors of Warrington swimmer Helen Slatter all geared up outside the golden gates to represent the town in the 1996 Atlanta OlympicsSuzanne Rigg, right, and Warriors of Warrington swimmer Helen Slatter all geared up outside the golden gates to represent the town in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics (Image: Warrington Guardian)

After returning to her America homeland to live with her Warringtonian husband John, the mother of two enjoyed a successful time as head coach of Zionsville High School’s cross country and track and field teams in Indiana.

The former Warrington Guardian advertising department employee, who clocked 1hr 40mins 30secs on Sunday, retired last year and now spends more time focusing on family and her running again.

Warrington Guardian: Suzanne Rigg, who won the over 55s half marathon age group. Picture: Dave GillespieSuzanne Rigg, who won the over 55s half marathon age group. Picture: Dave Gillespie (Image: Dave Gillespie)

Eleven other Warrington AC athletes took part across all four events in the festival, collecting a further six age-group placings.

In the half marathon Steve Watmough finished eighth in 1hr 16mins 46secs to take the over 60s age group title, while Mervyn Ward finished 83rd in 1hr 35mins 01secs to win the over 65 age group.

The festival also featured a 10k, in which Claire Andrew crossed the line 13th with 39mins 22secs to win the over 40s women’s age group, while Louise Blizzard was 18th in 41mins 09secs to take the women’s over 45s age group prize.

In the 5k, Dave Watson was seventh with 20mins 31secs to win the over 65s age group.

CHECK THIS OUT: More pictures and details from Warrington Running Festival

Grace Rashud led in a group of under 13s girls, finishing 14th in 23mins 12secs to place fourth in the women’s race and taking the third non-master woman’s place.

She was followed in by Ruby Brazier-Kobus in 23rd in 26mins 07secs, Grace Southerst 26th in 26mins 17secs and Scarlett Smith 27th in 26mins 41secs.

The day had started with a kids race and this was a success for Alexander Farrell who won in 5mins 40secs.

Thomas Darbyshire was fifth in 6mins 16secs and Ruby Brazier-Kobus was 14th in 6mins 30secs before she then ran the 5k race.