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Radcliffe Athletic Club members rubbed shoulders with some of the country’s top athletes at the British Athletics Cross Challenge in Liverpool.

They had a great Saturday afternoon out when the club fielded competitors in both the men’s and women’s races which were held on flat and fast courses in Sefton Park.

The event was selected as the third fixture in the Red Rose Cross Country league, which is contested by local clubs. It was also a qualifying event for next month’s European Cross Country Championships in Turin, giving Radcliffe athletes the chance to line up with top names including Olympian Jessica Warner-Judd and European indoor champion Amy-Eloise Markovc.

Paula Abernethy was the club’s first finisher in the 8.1k women’s race, clocking 42:15. It was neck and neck and from start to finish between Karen Doherty and Kath Davies, who finished in 45:20 and 45:23 respectively, while Elaine Bailey was fourth V60 in 48:33. The women’s team was ninth amongst the Red Rose clubs.

In the 9.8k men’s race, Craig Norman ran 42:35 and Ian Swan crossed the line in 46:15.

Five members got into the Christmas spirit early at the fast and popular Wilmslow Festive 10k. Mike Kontowtt ran 42:47 and also taking part were Mia Derbyshire (43:34), Stephen Crowe (1:02:35), Helen Kay (1:03:02) and Bev Quinton (1:14:12).

Kath Davies warmed up for cross country by running 45:41 with her young grandson at Saturday’s Bolton parkrun. Chris Paxton was fourth in 20:50 and Rob Lister clocked 24:50 to come 28^th.

Sheila Jones was first VW65 in 23:26 at York parkrun while James Higson was tenth at Heaton Park in 19:34. Results from elsewhere were: Lyme Park – Stephen Crowe (32:13); Bramhall Park – Helen Kay (30:17), Cheryl Gallagher (35:32) and Bev Quinton (39:23); Haigh Woodland – Peter Hunter (27:50); Hazelhead – Tracy Wroe (47:56); Lyme Park – Stephen Crowe (34:13).