Lostockers headed to Hebden Bridge to take part in the Hebden 2025 and put in some good displays.

The event is organised by the 12th Halifax Sea Scouts, and is a long-distance walking challenge that allows runners to compete.

It offers a ‘short’ option of 15 miles or a ‘long’ option of 22 miles. There are no prizes or medals, it’s purely for like-minded folk to enjoy a sharing experience on the hills with others, often in tough and wintery conditions.

It is always very popular and sells out to around 550 entrants very quickly.

Two Lostockers took on the short route and five chose the longer route.

Starting outside the Good Shepherd Church, Mytholmroyd, the route circumnavigates Hebden Bridge, which lies at the heart of the Calder Valley. It begins with a run out on a woodland path parallel to the railway line before climbing steeply up onto the tops.

The runners are quite tightly packed early on, but a series of single-track paths and stile crossings soon spreads the field out.

The five Lostockers who selected the long route agreed to run together and make this a social and fun experience. Participants passed some of the most beautiful areas and landmarks in the area, including Midgehole, Hardcastle Crags, Heptonstall and the outskirts of Stoodley Pike. The views were limited due to low cloud but underfoot conditions were surprisingly good.

After many stiles, gates, wooded paths, climbs, descents, mud, moorland bogs, stone bridges, wooden bridges, big rocks, red gates and holly bushes, Josie Greenhalgh, Tony Marlow, Mark Shuttleworth, Greg Kilshaw and Nikki Hamerton all made it round in just over five hours.

Karen Taylor and Katie Edern finished the shorter route in four hours.

Two Lostock ladies and four men braved a chilly Saturday afternoon to attend the final cross-country event of the season.

The ladies went first, completing a three-lap 4.8-mile course. Rachel Hancock was first in at 44mins 2secs, despite showboating and executing a commando roll in the soft mud on the second lap. Jenna Wood was close behind with a time of 47:31.

The men’s race of three laps and 5.25-miles, got under way at 2pm after a mini false start when the front of the group went to set off on the pre-gun whistle. They were rounded up and all went on the gun.

David Wilkes, on his first cross-country outing, set off like a rocket and disappeared down the hill. The now familiar course was particularly dry with the usual starting swamp reduced to a slightly muddy bit but the afternoon air was very cool and excellent weather for racing.

Wilkes was the first Lostock AC member home in a fantastic 40:37, followed by Paul Edwards, who despite an Achilles issue on the first lap, still managed to finish second Lostocker with a time of 41:25. Edwards was shortly followed by Andy Laycock, in 44:19, and Mark Checkley, in 51:42.

Jo McManus headed to Preston to take part in the rearranged Central Lancashire New Year Half-Marathon, organised by Fylde Coast Runners and taking in scenery around Inskip and Catford.

McManus had a fantastic race, finishing as 12th female in 1:47:16 and winning her age category.

Parkrun results: Bolton - Rachel Hancock 32:19 (third in age category), Gill Caldwell 34:06 (first in her age category); Haigh Woodland Park - Chris Baker 23:52 (second in age category), Brian Halton 25:15, Andy Laycock 27:29 (third in age category), Matt Carney 28:05, Mary White 28:23 (first in age category), Rachel Stevens 29:37 (third in age category), Ian Burns 29:47 (first in age category).