LOSTOCK AC's Josie Greenhalgh and partner Alison Wainwright were the first-placed women's team in their category at the Marmot Dark Mountains mountain marathon.

The event follows the classic mountain marathon format of testing a competitor's navigational skills, fitness and mountain craft condensed into one single overnight race on the depths of winter, rather than two days and an overnight camp.

Starting from Lowther Castle, Greenhalgh and Wainwright battled snow, hail, rain, driving wind and sub-zero temperatures over and around Askham Fell, finishing 12th overall as well as first-placed women.

Joining Greenhalgh at Lowther Castle were fellow Lostockers Mark Sammon, Michele Sunter, Albert Sunter and Tony Marlow.

Michele Sunter and Sammon were the first mixed veteran team to finish their race category and were 22nd overall.

Marlow and Albert Sunter made the wise decision to withdraw from their race after 27 miles as frozen navigational equipment placed both runners at risk of hypothermia.

Closer to home, Alan Mather completed the January Run Heaton Park half marathon in 2hrs 11mins 45secs, while Gareth Pratt and Andy Laycock finished Haigh Hall parkrun in 22:35 and 23:29 respectively.

Mark Shuttleworth turned in a time of 21:39 to finish second in his age group at Worsley Woods parkrun.