Eight Lostockers performed well last Sunday at the annual Wigan Half-Marathon.

Not the easiest of half-marathons, with 194m of climbing all condensed together between 10-15k, the course started downhill and gradually levelled out into a pleasantly undulating course.

The course then went through a business park, past the Heinz factory and the DW Stadium, then out alongside the canal and back uphill to the town centre, passing the famous Wigan Pier.

This is where the course got tough as it turns on to the towpath of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. This section was tough on the legs with flat sections between the locks and then short, sharp rises that broke the rhythm.

Turning into the woodland known as The Plantations, the course rose gradually before runners hit a short, steep descent.

This was the point the dreaded hill started - if competitors were thinking it had been difficult until this point then they were in for a tough couple miles. The path was muddy, wet and riddled with treacherous potholes.

This climb lasted an age, but at this point, those taking part could see other runners coming down the hill so Lostockers were able to cheer on their faster friends making their way back down.

The route made its way through Haigh Hall Park, turned towards the Hall, then back around and runners enjoyed some downhill.

The downhill hit another short, steep hill around 12 miles, then came out of Haigh, turning past the hospital to start heading for home and was downhill all the way back to the park to finish.

On a tough course, Dave Parry was the first Lostock member across the finish line in a very impressive 1hr 34mins 43secs, followed by Jo McManus in a epic 1:48:41, achieving third in her age category.

Hazel Hatfield followed in 1:51:26, then came Paul Lacey (1:51:31), Louise Read (1:54:03), Rachel Stevens (2:10:18), Martin Smith (2:12:19) and Karen Taylor, who was returning from injury, in 2:29:34.

Elsewhere, Josie Greenhalgh and Tony Marlow competed in the SROC night street orienteering finale in Lancaster and completed a fantastic season, winning the pair trophy.

Parkrun results: Haigh Woodland Park - Andy Laycock 23:54 (second in age category), Chris Baker 24:01 (second in age category), Matt Carney 27:14, Sinead Carney 29:10 (third in age category), Rachel Stevens 29:24 (third in age category); Alexandra Park - Rachel Hancock 24:42; Bolton - Ian Burns 30:18, Gillian Caldwell 32:25 (first in age category); Peel - Louise Read 29:04 (third in age category); Pennington Flash - Mark Checkley 31:24 (second in age category).