For Harriers

marked the turning point in the weather with sweltering conditions half an hour or so before the event – but the heavens opened in time for the race start.

This did not dent the splendid run of Mat Stephenson from Marple Runners, who accomplished the three-lap circuit with ease to finish in 37 minutes and 25 seconds, opening up a massive gap on second-placed Stephen Crook of Stockport who finished in 38:12 and third finisher Paul Brooks (38:38) also from the host club.

Some would have noticed that times were slower this year, probably on account of the slippery conditions going down Vernon Park hill, but life certainly began at 40 with no less than eight of the first nine positions being filled by veteran athletes.

This was followed on by the Junior one-mile race which produced a double win for the Murdoch family, with Cameron coming home first in 6:12 and his sister Freya first in the girls race and fifth overall in 6:31.

Further Stockport high end results came the way of second, third and fourth positions filled by Harry Ahearn, Henry Pickard and Josh Garrone.

Stockport’s Steve Vernon led his fellow competitors in a “merry song and a dance” at the annual Whaley waltz fell race in beating his nearest rival Chris Donnelly of Sale by the best part of three minutes.

In doing so he brought the course record down by a full minute to 35 minutes and 21 seconds and that included time to spare to entertain the crowd with a cartwheel into the river Goyt prior to completing the just shy of six-mile course with a total elevation of 899 feet.