With torrential downpours greeting the world on Saturday morning, this could mean only one thing; cross country. Runners gathered at Astley Park in Chorley for the second of the Red Rose Cross Country League races.
The rain stopped by the afternoon but the sticky, muddy conditions made for some great racing.
Todmorden Harriers produced some excellent performances, certainly justifying prioritising cross country as the season winds down for the winter months.
The ladies went first over a 5km course, ably represented by Mel Blackhurst, Mel Siddal, Kath Brierley and evergreen Moyra Parfitt.
Blackhurst led home Todmorden Ladies in 26th position with Brierley not too far behind in 37th.
With Siddal and Parfitt also having strong runs, the ladies team now stand in fourth position in the Vets category with two races to go in the series.
Todmorden’s men had a particularly bountiful trip to Chorley, coming first Vets team and third overall.
It certainly was a quality field, making the men’s team performance particularly impressive.
Near the front Nick Barber and Jon Wright vied to be first Harrier home with Barber coming in 19th with Wright not far behind in 24th.
Robin Tuddenham had an excellent run in 30th position whilst Paul Hobbs, Dwain Dixon, Craig Stansfield and Ben Crowther came home in a tight bunch completing a strong overall performance for the team who will now look forward to their next fixture at Bolton in two weeks’ time.