THERE was a fine turnout of 12 Radcliffe AC runners for a hilly and muddy ourse in the Red Rose Cross-Country Series at Leverhulme Park, Bolton on Saturday.

Mark Williams led the club home in 77th place out of 168 runners and, among the women, Eileen Royle was first vet-60 followed by Eileen Sharman second vet-55.

The event was the final heat in the series with Williams followed home by Shaun Bolt, Dave Bartlett, Ken Smith and Mark Emmett, both vet-50s, Mark Murphy and Mauro Rotundi, both vet-40s and Andy Wheeler.

Vet-45 Kath Davies was first to finish for Radcliffe among the women, in 45th place out of 73 runners.

She was followed home by Sharman, Royle and then Amanda Hey (V50). Sheila Jones won herself a bottle of bubbly after finishing first vet-55 among the women in the Great Langdale Christmas Pud 10k near Ambleside in the Lake District. She enjoyed the scenery despite the tough hills and clocked 49mins 16 secs, also receiving a Christmas pudding on the finish line, given to all competitors. Wheeler got into the Christmas spirit when he competed in the Turkey Trail Race at Hurst Green, near Clitheroe on Sunday. He covered the 4.92 miles in 49:15, on a hilly course, more like a fell race in places. There were plenty of runners in fancy dress and he even won himself a spot prize.

He was pleased with his time considering he had run the cross country the day before.