The final race of three in the Lostock AC Road and Trail Midweek Championships took place this week with 17 members heading to Chorley for the final instalment of the Astley Park Race Series.

Paul Edwards had an amazing series and completed the 3.8-mile run in 23mins 51secs, followed by Greg Kilshaw (27:36) and Andy Laycock (29:58). The first female was Rachel Hancock (30:44) who achieved third in her age category, followed by Jo McManus, in 32:24, and Rachel Stevens, in 34:32.

Other results: Gareth Pratt 30:07, Brian Halton 30:23, Gaz Foulkes 30:43, Matt Carney 31:23, Chris Baker 32:16, Katie Edern 35:15, Ian Burns 35:49, Lynda Hardman 36:29, Mark Checkley 37:44, Ste Hancock 38:44, Gill Caldwell 40:21 (second in age category).

The results for the overall series did not disappoint with Rachel Hancock winning her age category, while Halton and Stevens accomplished second in their age categories.

The Road and Trail Midweek Championships consists of six races. Following the final Astley Park race, the results for the championship were announced with Greg Kilshaw being the victor of the male category and Hazel Hatfield being triumphant in the female category.

Lostockers took part in the first ever Scarecrow Festival Race in Blackrod.

The race was part of the hugely popular Scarecrow Festival that takes place in Blackrod every July. The race commenced at The Hilltops and then headed down Manchester Road, through the centre of Blackrod, then back along Vicarage Road, down the side of the Goose and Gander and along Blundell Lane. Participants then ran along the canal, through Arley Woods before the final tough climb along Blundell Lane towards the finish line.

Lostockers had a fantastic run. David Parry crossed the line first in a fantastic 47:14, also securing first in age category. The race organisers hoped to promote the race to residents and as Parry was the second person from Blackrod to complete the race, he was awarded a special prize.

Greg Kilshaw was the next Lostock member across the line, in 51:40. Kilshaw was second in age category, shortly followed by Andy Laycock, in 51:48, who was also second in age category, and Gareth Pratt, in 52:23.

The first female was Jo McManus in a fabulous 54:14, followed by Sally McCoy (57:370 who was third in age category, Janet Rhodes, also in 57:37, and Lurdes Corlett, in 58:41.

Fell runners, Josie Greenhalgh and Tony Marlow, travelled to the Lake District to compete in the 2024 edition of the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon.

The event takes place over two days and participants have 12 hours to find controls, and they must navigate the fells with a partner, carrying all they need for the weekend on their backs.

This year’s edition was held in the far eastern fells with an event centre near Askham. Greenhalgh and Marlow were running for seven hours on Saturday and five hours on Sunday, seeking out as many controls as possible.

Poor route choice decisions resulted in the duo sitting in 78th position at the end of the first day. However, they had a much-improved performance on Sunday and finished 16th, providing an overall position of 40th over the weekend. During the weekend, they covered an epic 33 miles and an elevation gain of 11,000 feet.

Parkrun results: Haigh Woodlands - Andy Laycock 24:19, Brian Halton 24:42 (third in age category), James Jackson 29:18, Cathy Stratton 32:27, Ian Burns 32:57; Peel - Rachel Hancock 24:38 (second in age category), Lynda Hardman 27:51.