RADCLIFFE AC's Fiona Lynch took on a mountain of a challenge when she became the first woman in the club to complete the Bob Graham Round – one of the toughest fell running challenges in Britain.

With 24 hours to cover its 66 miles, 42 summits and its 26,000 feet of climbing, she finished the circular route at Keswick's Moot Hall on Saturday evening in 23hrs 12mins.

After her achievement in good conditions she said: "I have had the most incredible weekend completing the Round.

"This has been the better half of three years' work, learning about fell running, becoming mountain fit and building endurance."

She added it would not have happened if she had not joined Radcliffe in 2012.

Navigators and supporters are needed for the road crossings and on the hills and the challenge needs a lot of planning.

Her husband Peter and family, friends, club-mates from Radcliffe and runners from fell clubs Dark Peak and Rossendale helped her.

She will now belong to the exclusive Bob Graham 24 Hour Club and at the next club dinner will receive a certificate to mark her completion.

Twenty-nine runners from the club lined up for the midweek Horwich Five Mile from Rivington Village Club, battling it out for points with other clubs in the Central Lancs Grand Prix which runs throughout the season.

The women's team took third place and the men's fourth.

Dave McGrath was well up the field in 11th place in 30:29 out of more than 200 runners, followed closely by Chris Whittaker, who was 14th in 30:37 with John Wrigley in 21st place in 31:30.

Other Radcliffe results: John Gibbs 24th 32:02; Mike Cooke (V45) 37th 33:30; Katie Percival fourth woman 34:17; Rob Lister (V50) 35:34; Lee Cooper 36:13; Mark Garner (V45) 36:18; Jenny Yates (V50) 36:31secs; Paula Aberneth (V50) 36:56; John McNicholl (V50) 37:16; Steve Hamer (V60) 37:53; Nick Barnes 37:57; Paul Barrington 39:10; Kirsten Cook(V55) 43:45; Chris Fletcher 44:00; Helen Sandiford 44:04; Katie Benson 44:33; Vince Ashton (V45) 44:52; Caroline Malone (V45) 44:59; Wayne Holden 47:01; Elaine Bailey (V55) 47:28; Andy Wheeler (V60) 47:34.

Deborah Barrington (V40) ran with Debi Warrington (V45), clocking 47:55 and 47:56 respectively, while Sarah Rushton (V45) was pleased with her personal-best time of 44:39.

Karen Doherty (V40) ran 50:08 and Iain Harris (V65) finished in 51:54.

There was a great turnout for the second running of the Tor Mile at Helmshore with 146 seniors and 31 juniors, who took on a much shorter course.

Radcliffe club chairman Chris Paxton, who lives nearby and organised the event, had helped to keep the race going last year – one of the oldest fell races in the country – and he was pleased with the evening race's popularity.

The course had a sharp up and down, climbing 551 feet up Musbury Tor from the race headquarters in Helmshore. Radcliffe members not only ran but helped out with the organisation and it was a night parents and children were able to take part.

For many it was their first fell race, and sliding down was the way they tackled the very steep first part of the descent.

A grand total of £570 was raised for charity.

In the senior race, Benn Heywood was 16th in 14:34, while Chris Whittaker was 17th, close behind in 14:36, and just behind them was John Wrigley in 19th position in 14:43.

Kris Lee (V40) ran 18:02, Steve Hamer was first vet-60 in 19:03, Janet Rigby was first vet-50 in 20:33, Susanne Andrew (V45) ran 24:18, Karen Doherty (V45) finished in 26:29, Amanda Darbyshire clocked 26:31 and Christine Berry (V50) came home in 33:38.

In the under-15s' event Jack Andrew was fifth in 5:46 with brother Harry 11th in 6:19 and Ben Darbyshire 17th in 6:41.

Last weekend, Chris Whittaker achieved a fine first place in the Heaton Park 5k, running 19:08 – a course personal best by more than 30 seconds.

Four faced some hot conditions on Sunday when they ran the 16-mile Kinder Trog Fell Race in the Peak District. Dave McGrath clocked 2:15:00, Paul Swyers finished in 3:08:00, John Andrew clocked 3:26:00 and Lisa Carter finished in a time of 3:39:00.

The tough course from Hayfield had 3,491 feet of climbing and the race was part of The Moors Grand Prix which the club takes part in along with several others.

Sarah Rushton and Lucy Dewhurst ran 14 miles when they took part in the Round Sheffield Run, an undulating multi-stage race they completed together in 2:33:00.