Lostock AC’s usual social run was replaced by the annual Chair’s Road Race last week.

This is a friendly competition for club members in which participants can pick a short or long course. The long route covers four miles, starting at Victoria Road, in Horwich, and competitors run along Chorley Old Road to the Bob’s Smithy Inn before turning around and heading back. The shorter route covers two miles and runners turn around at The Jolley Crofters.

This is always a challenging race as the first mile is up a steep hill and this year’s was made more challenging due to torrential rain, making Chorley Old Road more like a waterfall.

In the two-mile race, Rachel Hancock was victorious, completing the run in 18mins 10secs, followed by Mary White, in 18:46, and David Wilcock, in 20:48.

Other results: Clive Worthington and Jennifer Donnellan 22:12, Gillian Caldwell 24:36, Colin Holdcroft 29:49.

In the longer race, Evan Burrell had a fabulous run, finishing in 31:50. He was followed by Any Laycock, in 31:57, and Gareth Pratt, in 32:46. Janet Rhodes was the first female to finish in 34:28, followed by Jo McManus, in 35:22, and Beverly Atherton-McKenna, in 37:58.

Other results: Mike Berry 36:15, Tony Maxwell 36:47, Rachel Stevens 39:17, Ian Burns 40:40, Mark Checkley 41:43.

Saturday saw the start of the cross-country season with five Lostock members heading to Heaton Park for the first instalment.

This is always a tough event with lots of mud on an undulating difficult course, consisting of two gruelling laps.

The ladies’ race is first, covering five miles, and the first female home for Lostock was Rachel Hancock in a fantastic 44:04, followed by Katie Edern, in 55:59. The men then follow, covering a slightly longer route of five and a half miles. The first Lostocker to cross the finish line was Paul Edwards in an impressive 39:42, followed by Andy Laycock, in 46:14 and Mark Checkley (54:04).

Lostock members had intended to take part in the Great South Run and Lakeland Ullswater Trail race, but both races were cancelled due to Storm Ashley.

Rachel Stevens braved the weather and headed to the Welsh coast to take part in the Abergele running festival.

The festival consists of both a 5k and a 10k. The 5k race commenced at 9.30am with Storm Ashley making herself known to runners with strong wind and rain. The race was a flat and straight run along Abergele seafront, with a U-turn at 1.5 miles. Stevens had a fantastic start to the race, maintaining a strong pace for the first two miles. The rain and wind were making race conditions tough, and Stevens also suffered from a nosebleed during the last mile before finishing in 26:19.

There was an hour break prior to the 10k and runners sheltered in their cars hoping the rain would clear.

Stevens had decided to enjoy the 10k and maintain a steady pace. This race followed the same route but continuing further along the cost before the U-turn. The 10k also involved a steep hill just prior to the turn around covering 200 feet of elevation gain over a short distance.

The race started in rain and wind but when Stevens hit mile four, the weather completely changed. The sun came out, with blue skies and rainbows. This was a beautiful end to the race with Stevens finishing in 57:37.

Parkrun results: Bolton - Anthony Maxwell 27:07 (first in age category), Sheila Garewal 31:25 (first in age category), Rachel Hancock 54:11 (walking with her dog Loki): Haigh Woodland - Matt Carney 23:55, Chris Baker 24:00 (second in age category), Johanna McManus 26:46 (first in age category), Andy Laycock 28:45 (third in age category), Ian Burns 30:11; Nova Prestatyn - Rachel Stevens 28:10 (eighth female and third in age category).