FIVE members of Radcliffe Athletics Club decided to start the New Year as they mean to go on by running the Ovenden Fell Race, from Oldham's Ogden Reservoir.

Winter fell races are always highly likely to be affected by extreme cold, snow, driving winds and various other types of weather that put most people off.

But Danny Appleby continued to go from strength to strength, taking 30th place in this race among a high-quality entry after 71 minutes and 18 seconds of hard, cold toil.

Arthur Warren was 61st, and 9th over-50, in 78.28, maintaining his good autumn form into the winter and staying clear of a resurgent Brian Booth, who was 10th over-50 just 13 seconds behind.

The ladies section was represented by Carly Hancock, who did really well to finish 7th lady in 87.04. She did extremely well to actually get out into the freezing conditions on Ogden Moor and to complete this tough event in 87.04.

Geoff Lowe wound up Radcliffe's presence, the over-45 finishing 102nd in 89.32.

The Auld Langs Syne fell race on New Year's Eve was a six-mile trek with 900 feet of climb in it, just right to set a runner up for the celebrations to come.

Six Radcliffe runners thought so, making a strong presence in this big race.

Chris Mycock, over-40, was first back, 143rd in 50.50, with Arthur Warren 177th, timed at 53.13.

He had a bigger lead over Brian Booth in this one, as Brian finished 198th in 54.18. Mark Emmett, another over-40, was 261st in 58.22.

Geoff Lowe struggled, not feeling too fit for this one, so club captain Mike Howard stayed with him, the pair finishing 315th and 316th 63.08. 363 athletes finished the course, making this a well-contested race.