Horrendous wind and rain failed to prevent the successful staging of the opening race of the Mid-Lancs cross country season, at Hoad Hill Harriers.

Conditions made this challenging, technical course even tougher, as almost 700 runners from Lancashire and Cumbria bravely tackled the muddy, flooded course at GSK Sports Ground at Ulverston.

In the senior men’s race, Matt Elkington, of the host club, improved his third-place finish from the previous Ulverston event, by finishing second in 33 minutes flat.

Elkington was ahead of last year’s winner, James Douglas of Border Harriers, who finished third in 33:31. First home, in a time of 32:24, was Kendal AC runner Alasdair Russell.

Elkington lead the way for Hoad Hill’s newly-promoted men’s first team, who along with Mark Bonner Mathew Rooke, Lee Winter, Richard Walker and Andy Jackson, secured third place in Division one, with Kendal AC taking the top spot.

The women’s race was won by Jacqueline Fairchild of Preston Harriers, with Blackpool’s Emily Japp second and Sharon Taylor of Helm Hill Runners third.

Barrow Striders Ladies featured well with Anna Lupton (4th.) Hollie Orr (6th) Lynn Murray (20th), giving their first team third place.

Walney Wind Cheetahs team of Amy Singleton, Janice Callister and Karen Maggio-Poyntz finished in tenth place whilst Hoad Hill Ladies, comprising of Elsie Roberts, Rebecca Rooke and Deborah Yearnshire, were 13th.