FIVE Radcliffe AC members joined more than 40,000 runners at the 39th London Marathon – while others took to the hills for their own marathon efforts.

John Wrigley was first home for the club at the world-famous event in the capital, crossing the finishing line in The Mall in 3hrs 28mins 16secs.

Kate Holden was next in 4:00:39, followed by Rob Lister in 4:02:58, while Ruth Deakin ran 4:57:34 and Emma Wallace clocked 5:59:29.

The club’s Fiona Lynch and Ian Warrington conquered a 'beast' of a race when they took on the gruelling 62-mile Fellsman in the Yorkshire Dales.

They covered the 12,000 feet-plus of climbing on hard, rugged terrain in 18:06:56.

It was the first time Warrington had attempted the tough test of navigational and physical skills, which includes climbs up Ingleborough and Whernside, while Lynch did it last year.

They endured severe weather to finish joint 93rd and Warrington said: “The Fellsman is a beast and due to a route diversion they kindly added an extra 1,000 feet of climb for us this year. I would do it again tomorrow!”

Also in the Yorkshire Dales, two joined a top-class field at the Three Peaks Fell Race – one of Britain’s most famous fell competitions.

The 23-mile course with 5,276 feet of climbing is billed as a ‘marathon with mountains’, covering the three peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough.

On his first attempt, John Andrew finished in 5:34:07, describing the race as "brutal".

Lisa Carter was timed out after climbing two of the tough peaks, although her time at that point was faster than she achieved last year.

Three Radcliffe AC runners were in the Peak District hills for the Kinder Downfall fell race.

Andy Haines completed the 9.6-mile course, with 1,970 feet of climbing, in 1:34:02, Lee Turner ran 1:37:28 and Paul Swyers clocked 1:42:57.

Donna Cartwright won a mini scarecrow when she was second woman at the Wray Scarecrow 10k in the Lune Valley.

She ran the undulating course in 43:00, finishing 13th overall, while Paula Abernethy was first Vet 50 in 47:38.

Dave Rushton finished in 46:48, Ken Smith clocked 49:33, Sarah Rushton ran 1:01:27, Sarah Oxley crossed the line in 1:03:50 and Lucy Dewhurst came home 1:07:58.

Chris Paxton was also in marathon action at the Blackpool Festival of Running, clocking 3:34:21 in strong winds.

Debi Warrington was pleased with her personal best of 59:08 at the festival’s 10k race.

Deborah Barrington was first home for the club in 57:20 and Natalie Hitchen clocked 1:06:41.27.

Sheila Jones ran 47:17 in Scotland at the Isle of Arran Ormidale 10k.

Meanwhile, Craig Norman won his 10th Muddy Maniacs race when he took on the 5k course with giant obstacles at Burrs Country Park in a race also featuring Lisa Donnelly.