RUNNERS braved sleet, wind and then snow when they took on Radcliffe AC's popular Terry Nortley 10-Mile Multi-Terrain Race on Sunday.

It was the third year the event had been run on a new course and most of the 185-strong field found themselves finishing in appalling weather conditions after tackling the local nature trail, Philip's Park trails and canal tow paths.

A well-deserved first place went to Tom Carson from Horwich Harriers in 58mins 06secs, who had a good three-minute winning margin. Gareth Briggs (V40) from Dark Peak Fell Runners took second place and third went to Shay Walker (V40) from Bolton United Harriers.

Horwich Harrier's Rob Jackson (V45), who is a regular runner in Radcliffe AC races and finished fourth last year, was a fine sixth and Christopher Merchant from Rochdale Harriers, who was second last year, still managed a top 10 position in eighth, while Bury AC runner Les Smalley finished the race in 30th place.

Top woman Ingrid Storm of Chorlton Runners lived up to her name, storming home in 33rd place overall in1hr 13mins 45secs. Her clubmate, Jean Webster took second place and in third was Vicky Smith from Belle Vue with her clubmate Phoebe Wallbank close on her heels in fourth.

The event was named after the club's former president Terry Nortley who died in 2011, a coach for more than 50 years. Problems with a bridge on the tough course meant the original route had to be changed but runners have continued to support the early season event making it one of the most popular in the area. Prizes were presented at the race headquarters at Cams Lane Primary School by club chairman Mark Emmett who said that despite runners facing bad conditions there were many comments about how much they had enjoyed the race.

On the Radcliffe AC racing scene it was the 5k park runs that proved popular again with Michael Cooke (V40) coming fourth out of 253 runners at the Bolton event in 20:22 and Mark Williams (V45) just behind him in fifth place in 20:35. Kris Booth ran 22:31, Mark Wolfenden (V45) clocked 22:41, Paul Swyers (V45) 23:19 and vet-65 Eileen Royle 29:28.

At Heaton Park, Peter Hunter set a new personal best with 20:34 and Sheila Jones (V55) ran 23:40. Susanne Andrew set a new personal best with 26:41 and Katya Pursall (V40) ran 33:01 out of the 450 runners.

Two others went further afield with Vince Ashton (V40) clocking 27:26 at the run billed the toughest in the North West, the Cuerden Valley Parkrun at Bamber Bridge, Preston. His time brought him home eighth in his age group. Dawn Evans took on the Fell Foot Parkrun at Newby Bridge in the Lakes enjoying stunning scenery and running 36:50.