FOUR members tackled the demanding local Lions Bridge Marathon and Half Marathon meeting at Tyldesley with Trevor Fishwick the first to complete the tough full mixed terrain course in 4hrs 55mins 31secs.

The marathon route is predominantly trail with a short section on a lane approaching Lilford Park and another lane section across Queens Way back onto the trails.

One of the six stone lion statues that adorned the famous bridge has survived and runners pay their respects as they pass it, making this a race steeped in local history.

Fishwick put in an impressively consistent run, reaching halfway in 2:16:10 and largely maintaining that tempo to the finish in Gin Pit Village.

Maria Parkinson and Bev Walker ran together to both cross the line in 5:25:39 after posting 2:25:10 at the halfway point.

Julie Bower took on the half marathon distance and recorded a time of 2:44:17.