Three Lostockers completed the Two Crosses Challenge event last Sunday in glorious running weather.
Greg Kilshaw, Sally McCoy and Janet Rhodes completed the 18 miles together in 3hrs 43mins and finished joint 25th out of 254 competitors.
The event is organised by the East Lancashire Long Distance Walkers’ Association and takes place annually every March, this being the 39th year the event has been held.
There is a choice of either an 18-mile or 26-mile route and you can walk or run it. Both routes visit the Roman Cross at Affetside and the Pilgrim’s cross on Holcombe Moor.
It is an extremely popular event and competitors return year after year. It is famous for both its beautiful scenery, challenging terrain and the most magnificent feed stations, well stocked with trifle, rum and soup served by the cheery Marshall volunteers. It is an absolute bargain to enter and a really enjoyable route with highlights including a visit to Peel Tower with its lovely grassy descents and some great trail running around Bradshaw fisheries and Entwistle reservoir.
Elsewhere, Tony Marlow and Josie Greenhalgh travelled to the Lake District to compete in the Black Combe Fell Race.
This was Marlow’s first race of the season - a fantastic race with stiff climbs up to Black Combe’s two summits from almost sea level.
The reward for competitors was 360-degree views from the summit. The descents were equally tough and rough depending on route choice as the race covered 8.1miles and a 3,400 feet climb.
Greenhalgh and Marlow finished within two hours.
Mike Ernill and Kerry Jackson took part in the Haworth Hobble Ultra Marathon - a favourite challenge among fell runners, covering 32 miles with just over 5,000 feet of climbing.
Ernill and Jackson competed in the Mixed Pairs and had an amazing run, finishing in 8:14:40.
Mark Checkley had an awesome day at the Carrock Fell Race that started with a steep ascent to the top of Carrock Fell, followed by a meander to High Pike negotiating the boggy sections.
The race concluded with a long descent to the finish on a fast downhill and Checkley was able to complete this in less than 10 minutes. The race covered 9k and Checkley finished in 1:16:55.
Parkrun results: Bolton - Tony Maxwell 27:08 (first in age category), Lynda Hardman 31:47 (second in age category), Gillian Caldwell 32:53 (first in age category), Rachel Hancock 34:35; Haigh Woodland - Andy Laycock 24:04, Brian Halton 25:00, Katie Edern 30:08 (third in age category), Karen Taylor 35:10; Pennington Flash - Hazel Hatfield 26:27 (ninth female and second in age category), Mark Checkley 32:11; Sutton Manor - Rachel Stevens 28:10 (seventh female and second in age category); Worsley Woods - Louise Read 33:56.
