ROB Sharkey led the way for Lostock AC at this year's Windy Hill fell race, finishing the nine-mile course in 1hr 18mins.

Starting in Littleborough and climbing to the summit of Windy Hill before the steep and fast descent that includes part of the route of the Pennine Way, Chris Taylor followed Sharkey home in 1:31:00, while Mark Checkley finished in 1:44:00 and secured a top-10 age-group finish.

Rob Garstang had a time of 1:53:00 and Jocelyn Chesterton achieved another age-group top-10 with her time of 1:56:00.

Closer to home a team of 11 Lostockers braved similar atrocious weather conditions of driving wind and rain at the Anglezarke Amble.

Starting in Rivington, the Amble takes in the famous sights and landmarks of the the West Pennine Moors, including Rivington Pike, Winter Hill, Entwistle Reservoir, Darwen Tower and White Coppice, and offers the competitors either a 16-mile or 25-mile route.

Working as a team, Sally McCoy, Heather Soden, Vikki Goodyear and Michele Sunter completed the 16-mile course in 4:00:00.

Albert Sunter put in a customary strong  performance to lead home on the long course in a time of 4:18:00, followed by Adrian Hope in 4:23:00 and Josie Greenhalgh in 4:41:00. Mike Ernill, Brian Halton and Abigail Sunter all finished in 5:23:00, with Mat Withers also posting 5:23:00.

Round eight of the SROC Winter orienteering league in Southport saw Albert and Abigail Sunter ninth overall and first mixed pair, while Tony Marlow was 14th overall and first in his age group.

With both Bolton and Haigh Hall parkruns cancelled due to ice, Paul and Fern O'Brien headed to Heaton Park where they posted a time of 27:13.