OUTSTANDING performances were recorded in the 12th High Legh 10k at the weekend.

Knutsford Tri Club's Jef Fidler won the vets over 50s race after finishing 19th overall from the record 538 runners who completed the course cheered on by high numbers of enthusiastic supporters in almost perfect weather conditions.

The first male and female residents from High Legh to cross the line were Will Morris in 36mins 41secs, which placed him sixth, and Amanda Pemberton in 47mins 30secs, which was good enough for eighth in the women's over 40s category.

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Hurry up mum! A dog waits for its owner to finish the High Legh 10k

On International Women's Day, it was perhaps most notable that the first female home stood out for her achievement of improvement over a 12-month period.

Last year, Alison Roberts produced a creditable performance that saw her cross the line 67th overall but fourth woman home.

But this time around the Lymm Runners athlete knocked almost four minutes off that time as she crossed the line in 40mins in gold medal position for the ladies race and 15th overall.

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It was also an exceptional day for Chris Stanford, pictured above with women's race winner Alison Roberts, who won the men's race for the second year running.

Knutsford Guardian:

Men's race winner Chris Stanford with Callan Rowland (2nd place) hard on his heels

The Warrington Triathlon Club competitor, a vets over 40s runner, did so in a time four seconds slower than last year but 20 seconds clear of the next best runner. He clocked 33mins 39secs.

Knutsford Tri Club were well represented, especially in the vets categories.

At over 50s level, Steve Handley was 15th (90th overall), Daniel Dawson 32nd (160th), Edward Taylor 38th (194th) and Patrick O'Brien 48th (237th).

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The event's friendly registration team

In the same age group for the women, Miranda Taylor was 12th (203rd), Karen Hatton 18th (242nd) and Louise Ford 24th (292nd).

Lou Clague was 20th woman over 40 (224th overall), while Peter Ford was 14th man over 60 (296th).

The winners of the event's new category for veterans of 70+ were Raymond and Susan Hall of Halifax Harriers in terrific times of 47mins and 1hr 2mins respectively.

Organisers, High Legh Community Association and Lymm Runners, made moves to reduce the event's environmental impact by using biodegradable goody bags, offering entrants the opportunity to opt out of having a T-shirt which raised a contribution of over £200 to the WWF, and using paper bags for the iconic gingerbread men offering.

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Lymm Runners holding the prize for First Female Team presented by Race Director James Hurrell