RADCLIFFE AC's Michelle Hincks turned in a brilliant performance to finish second female in the 250k Beyond the Ultimate Desert Ultra in Africa.

She faced temperatures of 55 degrees Celsius and had to carry all her food and race kit in the gruelling five-day race through Namibia’s Namid Desert.

She ran in aid of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia after working with organisations there last year to tackle poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

Hincks said: “I can honestly say I enjoyed nearly every step.

"The heat was brutal, much hotter than I anticipated, and I massively exceeded my own expectations.”

Closer to home, the club celebrated a successful year in the Run the Moors Fell Grand Prix, in which eight clubs compete over 11 races.

The presentation evening at St Mary’s Social Club was hosted by Radcliffe AC and the prizes were awarded by guest speaker Carol Morgan – a race-winning ultra distance runner.

Radcliffe’s ladies team came first with the men’s team claiming second, narrowly missing out on top spot.

Fiona Lynch was second lady overall and first vet-40, Kate Percival was third lady and first senior and Dave McGrath was second man and second senior.

The other prize winners were: Sheila McNulty – first vet-70, Lisa Carter – second vet-45, John Andrew – third vet-45 and Peter McNulty – second vet-60.

They also received participation awards for doing five or more races as did Susanne Andrew, Andrew Haines, James Hall, Craig Norman, Chris Paxton, Ian Warrington, Chris Whittaker, Kris Lee, Mark Garner, Paul Swyers, Mark Wolfenden and Steve Hamer.

Radcliffe AC chairman Chris Paxton said: “It has been a really successful year for us and the best I have known in recent memory.”

Staying on the fells, the club had two teams in the Lee Mill Relays in Rossendale.

Dave McGrath, Craig Norman, John Andrew and Andrew Haines were 44th in 4hrs 10mins 36secs. John Wrigley and Kris Lee, running two legs each, came 52nd in 4:18:52.

Eight members tackled the City of Salford women’s 5.25-mile run with Sheila Jones first vet-60 in 41:28.

Amanda Hey clocked 44:04, Janet Rigby finished in 45:47, Kathryn Davies clocked 46:06 and Karen Doherty came home in 49:48.

Other results: Tracy Wroe 51:35, Lisa Donnelly 54:47, Bev Quinton 57:08.

John McNicoll was first home for the club at the Wilmslow 10k in 44:36.

Other results: Stephen Birtwistle 45:59, Kate Holden 47:38, Jenny Yates 49:33, Caroline Mullineaux 49:34, Jennifer Kavanagh 1:00:22, Lucy Dewhurst 1:03:25.

Two took on the Heaton Park 10k with Kirsten Cook first vet-55 in 53:15. Stephen Parker ran 1:02:05.