RADCLIFFE Athletic Club’s new 13 Arches Trail Half Marathon earned a big thumbs up from the local running community following Sunday’s inaugural race.

Organisers were blessed with perfect conditions and after being over-subscribed prior to the event, 224 entrants eventually completed the undulating course.

Starting and finishing at the club’s Cams Lane running track, runners made their way through the Irwell Valley Sculpture Trail, Hurst Wood and Philips Park, going past the listed 13 arched railway viaduct en route.

Race director Luigi Salzano said: “We were really pleased with the turnout. We were especially pleased we attracted so many non-club runners who had seen the event on social media. We invested a lot of effort in making the race attractive to non-club runners and were rewarded with the high turnout.

“Runners came from as far as Nottinghamshire and even New York.

“The event went very smoothly with no hitches and showed the very best of the countryside and trails in the area, which many local people have not yet explored.

“Many runners commented on the friendliness and thoroughness of Radcliffe AC and have said they will be back with their club-mates and friends next year.

“We sold out many weeks ago and will be raising the entry limit to keep up with demand.”

The men’s race was won by Bolton United Harrier Seamus Walker (V45) in 1hr 23mins 14secs. Andrew McMeneny was second in 1:25:00 and Jarrod Gritt, of Royton Road Runners, was third in 1:25:11.

Lorraine Hopley (V40), of Rossendale Harriers, was the first woman home in a time of 1:33:08. The other two women on the podium were also in the vet-40s age group – Sharon Johnstone, of Wilmslow Running Club was second in 1:34:51secs and Zoe Gmerek, of Sale Harriers, third in 1:37:51.

Of the local runners, Bury Athletic Club’s Benn Heywood was first home in eighth (1:26.35), while Jenny Yates was first female V50 in 1:52.24.

Bury’s Pam Moriarty, Simon Moriarty and Sean Constintine all finished in 2:07.33, while Joanna Degisi followed them in 2:10.45.