LOSTOCK AC's Paul Lacey and Gareth Pratt took advantage of historic Chester's flat and fast course to achieve personal-best times at the 10th running of what is now one of the UK's most popular marathons.

Lacey, in his third marathon of 2019, took 11 minutes off his previous quickest time to finish in 3hrs 48mins 29secs, while Pratt took a full 13 minutes off his previous best time to finish in 3:35:06.

However the fastest time for a Lostocker went to Adam Lowe, who in approaching his 100th marathon, achieved a time of 3:34:44.

Melonie Crompton, in her 10th marathon, and first major race since Ironman UK, finished in 3:52:13, with Sarah Lewarne coming home in 4:54:47.

Closer to home the weather was kind to the five-strong Lostock AC team at the Rivington Trail half marathon, with the standout run coming from Alistair Cairns in his first season for the club, who came 17th and third in his age group in 1:42:15.

Samantha Sale, in her first race as a Lostock member, came home in 1:57:20, followed by Maggie Cairns (2:04:16), Donna Kelsall, on her 40th birthday, in 2:13:45 and Martin Freeman (2:27:38).

Also racing over the half-marathon distance was Jennifer Ramsden, again in her first race in Lostock colours, at the West Coast Half Marathon at Lytham St Anne's where she finished in 2:03:44.

Beverley Atherton-McKenna turned in a very strong performance at the Team Deane Alison Brady Memorial 10k, finishing ninth woman in a time of 54:15.

Triathlon member Mary White, in a break from the multi-sports formats, finished in 56:25.