LOSTOCK AC's Albert, Michelle and Abigail Sunter ventured to Kinder Scout in the Peak District last Sunday for the fourth and final race of the Kong Mini Mountain Marathon series.

Running after the first snows of the winter and in freezing temperatures, the concluding four-hour score race of the four-race series tested the fitness, navigation and mountain craft skills of the competitors to the limit.

Albert Sunter turned in a time of 4hrs 10mins 11secs with 170 points to finish 16th in his age group.

Meanwhile, running as a team, mother and daughter Michelle and Abigail Sunter finished in 2:47:06 with 60 points for 11th in their age group.

In the final standings over the series, Tony Marlow finished eighth overall in the MV50 age group, Josie Greenhalgh was eighth in the WV40 category, and Abigail and Michelle Sunter were the fourth-placed women's team in the WV50 category. 

Marlow, Albert and Abigail Sunter faced extreme weather of a different kind at the SROC Night Street League orienteering race held at Thornton Cleveleys the previous Thursday, where torrential rain had caused localised flooding with the street orienteering resembling more of an aquathon.

A total of 39 hardy souls braved the thigh-deep water to complete the various courses, Marlow sealing third and Albert and Abigail Sunter finishing sixth overall. 

A busy few days for Albert Sunter also included the Howling Chase Trail run last Saturday.

Running with fellow Lostocker Matt Withers, competitors race from The Jolly Crofters, Horwich to Sunnyhurst Woods in Darwen.

Points are gained not just for time but also elevation gained, including visiting Rivington Pike and Darwen Tower, and also avoiding capture by experienced runners tasked with catching competitors before they arrive at the finish.

The Tour of Pendle fell race times and positions have now been released.

Albert Sunter was the first Lostocker home in a time of 3:11:40 and fourth in his age group, followed by Marlow (3:23:56), Rob Sharkey (3:26:19), Greenhalgh (3:27:19 and sixth in age group), Mike Ernill (3:42:29), Mark Shuttleworth (3:52:01), Matt Withers (4:08:41), Mark Checkley (4;18:31) and Pete Noble (4:39:53).

The weekend snow and ice saw the cancellation of Haigh Hall parkrun but Andy Laycock continued his strong form at Bolton parkrun with a time of 23:35 to finish 27th overall and fourth in his age group.