Hundreds of fell runners braved torrential rain to take part in an annual race across the Hyndburn hills.
The Great Hameldon Hill Race was organised by the Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and saw runners of all ages taking part in different events throughout the day.
More than 170 senior runners from clubs across Lancashire, including 57 from Harriers, competed in the six-mile Senior Race up the Coppice, Moleside Moor and Great Hameldon Hill.
The male winner was Daniel Collinge, of the Harriers, with a time of 39 minutes and four seconds and the winning female runner was Sarah Tiple, of the Barlick Fell Runners, in 46 minutes and 23 seconds.
Emma Taylor, of the Accrington Road Runners, came second on 46 minutes and 54 seconds and Harriers member Louisa Powell-Smith was third in 46 minutes and 59 seconds.
Despite the poor conditions a record number of youngsters also turned out at Peel Park primary school in Accrington for a series of junior races.
Children under eight completed one lap of the school while youngsters under 12 did two laps.
Under 12 and under 16 runners were taken on a route of the 3km route of the Coppice.
Paul Healey, of the Harriers, praised the turnout in the ‘wet and windy’ conditions.
He said: “It was a poor day weather-wise and it was cold as well as wet so it didn’t really encourage people to come outside.
“The really good thing about the day is that we got nearly 100 juniors and that was the best we’ve had since 1991. That was superb really.
“The day went well otherwise and without incident and we had enough helpers on site so people were very pleased.
“We had 176 senior runners, which is seven down on last year. That was alright considering the weather. I’m sure one or two were put off by it.
“Because of the winter we’ve had at the top of Great Hameldon is really boggy.”
Marion Wilkinson, Harriers junior coach, praised the ‘wonderful’ juniors’ performances and said she was impressed by their ‘strong team spirit’.
She said: “When one of their buddies fell and didn’t want to continue they came to his rescue and gave him strength to carry on.”
