Lostockers were out in force for the penultimate race in the Central Lancashire Grand Prix series, the Gin Pit 5-mile Trail Race.

The race is organised by Astley and Tyldesley Road Runners and consists of laps around the old Gin Pit Colliery and Nook Pits Wood.

Due to the weather, it was an extremely muddy course with runners unable to avoid the deep puddles and slippery trails. Parts of the race were single track with runners being required to run in single file.

The race was relatively flat, with one steep hill. Due to the laps runners were required to complete the hill three times, the hill also being just before the finish line. Participants battled to the top of the hill before enjoying a fast, flat sprint to complete the race.

Andy Laycock was the first Lostock AC member to finish in an impressive 39mins 36secs, followed by Gareth Pratt, in 40:44.

Rachel Hancock was the first Lostock Lady to finish in 41:16, followed by Jo McManus, in 41:30. McManus was followed by Chris Baker (41:32), Rachel Stevens (47:28), Steven Hancock (51:16) and Gillian Caldwell (54:16).

All members were completely covered in mud at the finish and were even finding mud in their hair!

Elsewhere, Mark Checkley completed the Waddington Fell race. Starting in Waddington, Lancashire, the seven-mile race is tough, covering an elevation gain of 1,500 feet and summiting Waddington Fell on two occasions.

Despite completing a night shift and having just three hours sleep, Checkley had a fantastic race, finishing in 1:28:58. Following the race, runners were rewarded with a cup of tea and a cake.

Last Saturday was Parkrun’s 20th birthday and Lostockers were out celebrating.

There was a fantastic turn out at the local parkruns with participants being encouraged to wear fancy dress and their parkrun milestone T-shirts.

Results: Bolton - Rachel Hancock 35:03; Carlisle - Andy Laycock 23:54 (first in his age category); Haigh Woodland - Mark Shuttleworth 24:10 (third in his age category), Nikki Hamerton 25:29 (eighth female and second in her age category), Jo McManus 26:31 (11th female and second in her age category), Mary White 27:13 (first in her age category), Rachel Stevens 28:35 (third in her age category after McManus), Kathryn Orrell 29:44 (third in her age group), Katie Edern 30:36 (fourth in her age category behind Stevens), Chris Taylor 30:56, Lurdes Corlett 34:03, Karen Taylor 34:29 (running with her daughter Florence Taylor, who achieved a PB).