WINDY Hill Fell Race lived up to its name and more when eight Radcliffe Athletic Club members battled low mist, snow and strong winds in the event on moors above Hollingworth Lake, Littleborough on Sunday.

The nine-mile course included 1,280 feet of climbing, going over Blackstone Edge as well as Windy Hill.

James Hall was the first of the Radcliffe athlete to beat the horrendous conditions and make it home, finishing 52nd out of 205 runners in a time of 1hr 17mins 58secs.

Dave Rushton (V50) was five minutes behind Hall, completing the course in 1:23:13, while Fiona Lynch was first woman vet-40 in 1:24:26.

Other Radcliffe finishers included Mauro Rotondi (V45), who clocked 1:28:00, and Luigi Salzano, who returned from injury to finish in 1:35:00.

Lisa Carter was fourth vet-45 in 1:42:42, while Sinead Hayes just dipped under the two-hour mark in 1:59:28, with Susanne Andrew 20 seconds behind her.

Mike Kontowtt was first vet-50 and had a personal best when he ran the Manchester Winter Run 10k in and around the Etihad Stadium.

His time of 39:53 put him 48th out of 1,600 runners.

Sarah Oxley clocked 3:55:22 in the Hardmoors Saltburn 15-mile race in North Yorkshire, contending with rain, wind, hail and snow, as well as mud.

Ian Hopkinson also faced strong winds in Barrowford when he competed in the Fastrax 5k, clocking 25:40.