RADCLIFFE AC’s Fiona Lynch became the first person in the club’s history to complete the world’s toughest five-day mountain race.

She described it as 'the experience of a lifetime' after finishing eighth woman and second female veteran at the legendary Berghaus Dragon’s Back Race.

The mum-of-three climbed almost twice the height of Everest to complete the 196-mile route with more than 50,000 feet of ascent along the mountainous spine of Wales in an incredible 58hrs 50mins.

Competitors from around the world took on knife-edge ridges and Lynch, who put in months of training and preparation, said: “It was an incredible experience.

"It was tough balancing how much effort to put into each day to avoid burning out too soon.

“The atmosphere was amazing and you are in a bubble where all you need to do is run, climb, eat and look after yourself.”

Lynch, who completed the Bob Graham Round – one of the toughest fell running challenges in Britain – in June thanked her family, Radcliffe AC head coach Ian Warrington, her club-mates, fellow runners and the event organisers for their support.

She was running in aid of Feileacain (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland) and people can still sponsor her at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/fiona-lynch10.

Elsewhere, four members took part in the Liverpool Rock ‘n’ Roll race weekend.

Sarah Jackson finished Sunday’s marathon, her 10th race over the distance, in a personal best of 4:52:56.

The day before, she and Lucy Dewhurst donned fancy dress for the event’s 5k, finishing together in 36:03.

Amanda Hey ran the half-marathon in 1:53:49, struggling in the strong winds in the last three miles, while Craig Ward was pleased with his time of 2:05.46 for his first half-marathon.

Eight were at the Ian Hesketh Memorial Duathlon at Rivington.

In a 22k cycle ride, sandwiched by two 5k runs, there were age-group wins for Paula Abernethy, who was

third woman and first Vet 50 in 1:44:10, 11 minutes quicker than last year, and Caroline Mullineaux, who took the Vet 40 category in 1:45:48.

Dave Rushton finished in 1:36:50, Lee Cooper clocked 1:37:25, and Amanda Callan came home in 1:48:30, while Caroline Malone and Jenny Yates were the second team in 1:36:18 – with Yates doing the runs and Malone the cycling.

The club continued its great form in the Hollingworth Lake 5k Series in Littleborough, with every Radcliffe AC runner finishing top six or higher in their age group.

Yates was first home for the club in the fifth race of the series, finishing sixth female overall and second Vet 50 in 21:06.

She was part of the women’s team that finished third along with Sheila Jones, who notched up another Vet 60 win in 23:22, and Caroline Malone, who ran 25:05.

Steve Hamer finished in 23:13 and Sarah Oxley clocked 27:48.       

Also in Littleborough, four took on 1,201 feet of climbing at the 3.5-mile Blackstone Edge Fell Race.

David McGrath finished 12th out of 100 runners and third Vet 40 in 34:39.

John Wrigley was 26th in 37:18, Andy Haines ran 39:58 and Lisa Carter finished in 49:34.