CHRIS Singleton was the toast of Trawden Athletic Club after racing to victory in the tough Haworth Hobble.

The race is a testing 32-mile ultra-marathon in the heart of Bronte Country and follows a largely off-road circuit across stretches of Pennine moorland.

More than 300 runners assembled on the famous cobbled street of Haworth including 17 from Trawden AC.

Some were running in pairs, others solo, and Singleton had his sights set high after months of rigorous training.

It was going to be testing, though, as among the starting line-up were strong opponents including Jez Bragg, twice Fellsman champion, and Marcus Scotney, former winner of the epic Spine Challenger race. Both are hardened ultra-distance runners who have represented Great Britain.

Dad-of-three Singleton, meanwhile, is from Colne, he has a busy full-time job, a lifelong love of running and this was only his second ultra event.

Conditions around the course were harsh with miles of mud and climbs but he led the way from the off, powering home in an astonishing four hours and nine minutes to clinch the win, There were some great results from other members of Trawden AC, too, with Jim and Jenny Garside scooping first mixed pair in 6hrs 17mins and Paul Redman and Paul Brown claiming third pair overall in 5hrs 28mins.

Chorley Athletic and Triathlon Club, meanwhile, had two winners at the South East Lancs Cross Country League presentation evening.

Daniel Lilley had been lying in a consistent fourth place all season in the U11s boys standings but missed the last race and as a result collected the sixth place award.

At the other end of the age range, Mike Coppin was the second MV70.

Lilley also finished sixth in the U11s boys standings in the Mid Lancs Cross County League, in which the club’s men’s team won promotion to Division Two and the club’s MV40 team promoted to Division One.