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Radcliffe AC runners joined the tens of thousands of people taking part in the Great Manchester Run 10k and Half Marathon in a busy week for the club.

Members were also in action at two ultras, Chester Half Marathon and a club championship race on the trails.

John Gibbs led home the RAC runners at the sunny Great Manchester Half Marathon in 1:28:08. Also running were Simon Foulkes (1:33:29), Mark Taylor (1:37:42), Kelly Porter (1:42:03), Charlene Leyden (1:53:52), Chris Saville (2:07:41) and Sarah Tucker (2:19:09).

Kelly Porter doubled up by running the 10k on the same day in 52:53, and other Radcliffe results at the 20^th staging of the event were: Rob Shiels (42:10), Mark Garner (44:48), Ethan Malone (53:06), Charlotte Holden (59:48), Helen Kay (1:02:18), Craig Ward (1:13:58), Iain Harris (1:29:28), Mike Scott (1:29:28) and Bev Quinton (1:29:28).        

Stunning Peak District views were the order for the day for Annette McQueen and Warren Simmens at the challenging 54k Maverick Ultra. They ran 6:31:25 and 7:39:28 respectively in soaring temperatures.

Meanwhile Craig Norman travelled to Derbyshire for the 24-hour Farmyard Jam Backyard Ultra, describing it as one of the toughest races he had ever attempted.

Starting at midday, every hour competitors had to complete either a 4.2-mile run or a 3-mile run and a 100m obstacle course. Norman completed 13 loops, a total of 42 miles and 120 obstacles, before he twisted his ankle and was timed out.

Three members completed the picturesque Chester Half Marathon, which is run on city and rural roads. In warm weather, Emma Wolstencroft clocked 2:12:26 followed by Kath Biddle (2:15:15) and Tracy Wroe (2:39:28).

There was also a swarm of yellow and black vests at the midweek Coronation Trail Race in Horwich, a tough out-and-back six-mile course which climbed for three miles before the welcome downhill back to the finish.

Points were up for grabs in both the club’s road and trail championships and the Central Lancashire Grand Prix which is contested by local clubs.

John Gibbs was a fantastic 14th in 40:30 while Sheila McNulty was first FV75 in 1:11:00. Other times were: Mike Kontowtt (44:32), Ian Swan (44:53), Simon Foulkes (46:10), Mark Garner (46:50), Adam Wills (46:52), Mia Derbyshire (47:56), Paula Abernethy (52:34), Chemane Golding (53:34), Sheila Jones (54:03), David Bartlett (54:49); Kath Davies (55:21), Karen Doherty (55:27), Alison Howarth (59:39), Emma Wolstencroft (1:00:20), Louise Shield (1:00:47), Peter Warr (1:01:51), Elaine Bailey (1:02:50), Helen Kay (1:04:11), Tracy Wroe (1:05:14), Andy Wheeler (1:17:54), Bev Quinton (1:27:13) and Mike Scott (1:27:13).

The Saturday morning 5k parkruns were also popular with members. At Heaton Park, Marc Taylor was 15^th in 20:06 ahead of Steven Fawcett (20:57), Mark Taylor (22:11), Sheila Jones (24:33), Ethan Malone (25:53), Charlotte Holden (28:06), Kevin Dewhurst (32:44) and Andy Wheeler (37:33).

Rob Shiels ran 24:51 at Bolton followed by Paul Benson (25:59), Kath Davies (28:39), Mark Williams (28:46) and Natalie Hitchen (41:09).

Results from other courses: Alexandra Park – Mark Garner (20:55); Delamere – Stephen Crowe (28:38); Lytham Hall – Peter Hunter (22:41), Helen Kay (29:40) and Bev Quinton (41:12); Peel – Mike Kontowtt (24:37); Philips Park – Vince Ashton (1:01:35); Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields – Katherine Biddle (28:52); Stretford – Bradleigh Holmes (24:16); Wepre – Mia Derbyshire (25:06); Worsley Woods – Tracy Wroe (30:53).