BOLTON Harrier Beka Millington is never one to shy away from a challenge and took to Saddleworth Moors for her latest test.

A nominee for Harriers Female Distance Track Athlete of the Year, Millington has also been training her young sheepdog, Gary, the sport of ‘canicross’ since she got him as a pup and he would have enjoyed running with her at Saddleworth.

But this was a race just for humans and Gary had to stay at home.

The Saddleworth Ten Reservoirs is described as a high level moorland challenge visiting 10 local reservoirs along the way.

Due to the time of year, full winter kit was required including full waterproof cover, hat and gloves, map and compass, spare clothing and food.

Not for the faint hearted, it is 26 miles with 4,400 feet of ascent, starting from the Dysart Arms and past Dovestones and Yeoman Hey Reservoirs heading two miles up to the crags of Ravenstones.

More ascent then over White Moss to Blackmoss Reservoir and eastwards along the Pennine Way before descending into Wessenden Valley, then to the ‘Isle of Skye’ road.

A journey then across more of the Pennine Way to Chew Reservoir, through the woods and back to the Dysart Arms.

After a slog of more than five hours and enough to break the will of many runners, Millington made it back to the welcome of her proud partner Josh and parents Mike and Karen, who had travelled from Southampton.

She said: “It’s the most fun I’ve ever had at marathon distance, it was amazing. It was very, very tough in parts, with going into a bog over my knees being one of the hardest parts, but absolutely beautiful. I’m chuffed with myself.”

Millington has proved she is at home on all surfaces and terrain, and is one of several tough ladies in Harriers’ Endurance Group.

Talking about her new goals, she added: “After a rocky road to the London Marathon I decided to switch my focus from times and try a new challenge for 2022 - my first ultra marathon.

“I’m running Race to the Castle (100km non-stop) at the end of May, and this Saddleworth 10 Reservoirs was the first of two training races.”