LOSTOCK AC runners achieved a top-three and age-group win at the third and final race of the Mad Bull Torch Challenge series.

Paul O'Brien turned in a storming performance to finish third overall around the trails of Rivington in a time of 41mins 19secs, while Karen Taylor was first in her age group in a time of 53:17.

Rachel Hancock and Donna Kelsall maintained the strong form they had shown on Boxing Day at the Whinberry Naze fell race to finish as eighth and ninth women, respectively, at the inaugural Holcombe Howler half marathon trail race with times of 2:15:15 and 2:15:43. Barry Wroe turned in a similarly strong run, clocking of 2:11:27.

Prior to her age-group victory at the Mad Bull Torch Challenge, Taylor had celebrated her 50th parkrun on New Year's Day at Haigh Hall in a time of 29:08, where she was joined by James Jackson (22:58), Matt Withers (24:48), Cathy Stratton (26:45) and Joanna Withers (31:51).

The first Saturday Haigh Hall parkrun of 2019 saw Gareth Pratt turn in a time of 22:56 and Joanna Withers finish in 30:54.

Away from competitive racing, Lostock members enjoyed their annual New Year haggis run, where thankfully they were not called upon to assist any injured fellow runners.