The festive season did not stop Lostock AC with four members attending Bolton Parkrun on Christmas Day.

It is always a fabulous atmosphere on Christmas Day with lots of well wishes and discussion about turkeys being in the oven.

As with festive events, there is also an unwritten rule runners should ensure they are wearing their best seasonal fancy dress.

There was a fantastic atmosphere with 271 runners and walkers taking part.

Andy Laycock was the first Lostocker to cross the finish line in 24mins 38secs, securing second in his age category, followed by Tony Maxwell in 25:45 (second in age category), Rachel Stevens, in 29:01 (third in age category), and Sheila Garewal, in 30:41 (first in age category).

Racing continued over the Christmas period and Mark Checkley and Matt Withers completed the Boxing Day Whinberry Naze Fell Race organised by Rossendale Harriers.

The race covers four miles and an elevation gain of 750 feet. It starts at Marl Pit, Rawtenstall, and completes a loop of Whinberry Naze and Cowpe Lowe.

It was a very foggy day and a slow start for everyone, following the enjoyment of their Christmas meals the day before. The fog made visibility difficult, but runners’ mood was improved by Father Christmas who was waiting at the trig point with Smarties for everyone.

Checkley was testing out his new trainers and was required to retie these throughout the race so lost a few places. The race certainly got his new trainers very muddy!

He finished in an awesome 44:55 and was followed by Withers, who gave up his race to support another runner who was having difficulties.

There was a fantastic turnout of Lostock members at parkrun on December 28.

At Bolton, members joined 279 runners and Tony Maxwell was first in 26:37 (third in age category), followed by Sheila Garewal 30:30 (second in age category and 150th parkrun), Gillian Caldwell 35:23 (first in age category) and Stephen Davies, in 40:00.

A total of 273 runners and walkers completed Haigh Woodland Parkrun where David Wiles was first Lostocker to cross the finish line in 22:48, securing second in his age category. He was followed by Andy Laycock 23:36 (third in age category), Chris Baker 23:50, Greg Kilshaw 24:31, Jo McManus 25:06 (10th female and first in age category), Nikki Hamerton 25:36 (first in age category), Janet Rhodes 26:57 (first in age category), Matt Carney 27:01 (150th parkrun), Martin Smith 29:09, Ian Burns 29:42 and Karen Taylor 33:17.

Tony Marlow attended Worden Parkrun, finishing in 24:12 (second in age category).