Bolton played host to the world famous Ironman competition and Lostock AC members were keen to join the action.

Paul Lacey, Melonie Crompton and Lurdes Corlett all competed in the Ironman 70.3. This epic endurance event commences with early morning 1.2-mile swim in Pennington Flash. After a quick transition, participants complete a 56-mile bike ride. The ride started in Lowton and then headed into Bolton, with rides completing two loops along Chorley New Road.

The final part of this gruelling challenge is 13.1-mile run. The run circles through Queens Park before ending at the iconic Ironman finish line outside the Town Hall. Crompton was the first Lostock member to finish in an amazing 6hrs 18mins 8sec, followed by Lacey, in 6:43:26, and Corlett, in 7:36:16.

Also keen to get in on the action, Lostockers competed in the Bolton Night Run, the Friday prior to the main event. Participants could compete in either a 5k or 10k. The race routes started in Bolton Town Centre, went out to Queens Park and back to the finish line.

On the 10k, Paul Edwards had a fantastic run and was fourth to finish in 38:38, also being first in age category. David Gregson also had an amazing run, finishing in 51:05.

Greg Kilshaw was the first Lostocker home in the 5k in 21:31, and just one second behind was Hazel Hatfield, in 21:32, who was fir1st in her age category.

Warming up for the Ironman on Sunday, Lacey completed the race in 24:03.

Other results: Jo McManus 24:57 (second in age category), Rachel Stevens 26:38, Gillian Caldwell 31:25 (second in age category), Ellie Fortune 36:58.

Earlier in the week, Lostock fell runners headed to Darwen to compete in the Aggies Staircase Fell Race. The race starts at the top of Punstock Road, and the route climbs a along footpaths up to Darwen Tower. The race then descends towards the top of Bold Venture Park, before turning right to climb steeply up a rough path known as Jacobs Ladder, then across the moor top, and on down to the foot of Aggies Staircase.

Aggies Staircase is the shortest, but steepest, of the three climbs, it then descends back to Punkstock road. Despite being just four miles long, the race covers a dizzying elevation gain of 1,075 feet.

Tommy Smith was the first Lostocker to complete the race in 41:08, followed by Tom Grundy 42:26, Tony Marlow 43:47 and Mark Shuttleworth 44:03. Lostock ladies had an amazing race - Josie Greenhalgh was the first lady to cross to finish line in 45:00 securing second in her age category. Nikki Hamerton was the next female in 47:33, also second in her age category, followed by Sally McCoy (48:14, third in age her category) and Rachel Hancock (50:44). Lostock ladies were the winners of the female team prize.

Other results: Andy Laycock 45:15, Greg Kilshaw 45:51, Mark Checkley 59.27.

Mark Checkley headed to Burnley to take part in the Hapton Fell Race. This is a five-mile race with an elevation gain of 1,313 feet and Checkley completed the race in 1:09:35.

Lostockers participated in the club’s annual treasure hunt - one of the highlights of the club calendar. This is a friendly competition, with some members taking the event more seriously than others and this year’s hunt took place around Westhoughton, Aspull and Borsdane Woods.

Members were given a map and clues expertly prepared by Mark Smith. They then had 90 minutes to find as many clues as they could, with some covering more than seven miles.

This year’s winners were Chris Taylor, Karen Taylor and Chris Baker, with the club thanking Janet and Ian Johnson for hosting the event.

Parkrun results: Bolton - Rachel Hancock 26:03 (second in age category); Haigh Woodland - Greg Kilshaw 23:28, Andy Laycock 23:56, Gareth Pratt 24:26 (third in age category), Brian Halton 24:39 (second in age category), Matt Carney 27:26 (third in age category), Rachel Stevens 28:27 (second in age category), Ian Burns 29:18, Sinead Carney 35:10; Heaton Park - Lynda Hardman 28:04PB.