RADCLIFFE AC's Andy Wheeler went to where marathon running began when he travelled to Athens.

In hot conditions he clocked 5hrs 13mins 43secs in the famous Athens Marathon and was placed 8,718th out of 16,000. The 33rd event started in the coastal town of Marathon. Despite taking drinks every three miles during the race Wheeler said he suffered in the heat: "It was very warm and there was no shade," he said. "But I always wanted to do Athens because that's where it all started."

Ten faced the opposite extreme when they ran through the wet and mud in the South East Lancs Cross Country League events at Leigh Sports Village on Saturday afternoon.

Mark Williams was 38th and first home for Radcliffe as fourth vet-45 in 40.55 with Ian West (V50) clocking 42.43.

Chris Paxton ran 44.35, Chris Fletcher 45.19 and not far behind him an improving Ken Smith (V55) ran 45.36 along with Kris Lee (V40) clocking 45.53. The club's vets team were fifth in the over 40s.

Among the women, Kath Davies (V50) was first home for the club and third in her age category in 33.38.

On a shorter course than the men and close on Davies' heels was Caroline Mullineaux in 33.59. Vet-60 Eileen Sharman ran 34.41 and Susanne Andrew (V40) 37.18.

Two members becoming keen fell runners, Fiona Lynch and Luigi Salzano, ran the Tour of Pendle on Saturday on Pendle Hill and its adjoining moorland in the South West Pennines.

The unflagged 17-mile course had 4,833 feet of climbing but because of weather warnings and the risk to marshals, organisers decided to shorten it to 14miles and 3,000 feet cutting out the final climb.

Fortunately the bad weather did not arrive and Lynch clocked 2hrs 38mins and Salzano 2.47, running through mud and sliding down hills in the wet ground conditions.

Lynch said. "I loved it and certainly one to mark down for next year."

Before competing the cross country on Saturday afternoon, Mark Williams joined his young daughter Grace, also a Radcliffe member, to run the morning 5k Bolton Parkrun both recording 32.43.

Rob Lister also ran clocking a good time of 23.38.

In the Heaton Parkrun, with 423 taking part, Sheila Jones (V60), who is well on the way to recovery following injury, ran 24.31. Paul Swyers clocked 25.21 and there was a personal best for vet-60 Iain Harris with 27.44.

Sheila McNulty (V65) ran 29.02 and Tammy Oluyori improved again with 30.02. Peter Potter ran with his young son and recorded 39.24.