THE first snow of winter alongside driving winds did not deter a 15-strong Lostock team from turning in a strong performance at The Hebden long-distance fell and trail race in West Yorkshire last weekend.

Starting and finishing at Mytholmroyd and covering either 22 or 15 miles of unforgiving Pennine fells and moorland, The Hebden has become a classic winter race that is a test for the most experienced of fell runners.

Taking his 2018 form into the New Year, Mark Liptrot was the first green vest home and 26th overall in the 22-mile race in 3hrs 57mins, closely followed by Tony Marlow in 3:59:00.

Josie Greenhalgh was one of the first women home in 4:09:00, with Albert Sunter finishing in 4:12:00, Mark Shuttleworth in 4:13:00, Mike Ernill in 4:20:00 and Chris Taylor in 4:32:00.

Brian Halton turned in a time of 5:00:00, while Donna Kelsall and Kerry Varden in their first long-distance fell race finished in 5:47:00, ably supported by Mark Sammon.

In the 15-mile race, Jason Tonge was 20th in a time of 3:20:00, followed by Andy Laycock in 3:46:00 and Abigail and Michele Sunter in 4:34:00.

Closer to home, the third round of the South East Lancashire Cross Country League returned to a muddy Heaton Park where Melonie Crompton was first home for Lostock in 38:16, followed by Karen Taylor in 44:24.

There were top-five age-group finishes for Christine Smith (46:34) and Gill Caldwell (48:18).

Pete Noble was sixth in his age group in a time of 52:25.

Hayley Cooper turned in a strong time of 1:02:43 at the Mast Race 10k, while Albert Sunter and Tony Marlow both scored significant points totals at the Manchester and District Orienteering Club's winter league event at Sale.