TATTENHALL Runners' infamous Tough Team Challenge was made all the more difficult thanks to Mother Nature.
A torrential downpour just before the start of last Friday's gruelling race made conditions very taxing, with flooded roads and off-road trails taking on treacle-like properties.
The object of the race is purely team-based as it's the time of the final member home in each team of three that counts.
None of the 50 teams entered broke any records due to the boggy conditions, and only the first team home managed to complete the hilly 9.5-mile course.
That was senior trio Just Training, featuring West Cheshire athletes R Edwards and V Van Woerken and Ellesmere Port Running Club's Steve Crowe, who came home in 59 minutes and 59 seconds.
The first all-ladies team home was Alison Smith, Amanda Davies and Liz Crawshaw, alias Tattenhall Chicks, in 77.13, followed closely by Lastminute.com - a hastily arranged team of Tattenhallers Carol Williams, Martin Hilton and Graham Innes - who finished in 77.32.
By that time, Tattenhall already had one runner home, Ainsley Baker, whose Woodchippers team crossed the line in 67.21 Champs Ellises were the first family team to complete the course as Tattenhall club members Sue and Simon Ellis were joined by their West Cheshire AC-member son James to come 28th in 80.40.
Tattenhall's next club championship race takes place on Wednesday, July 25. The Green Green Grass of Home is a 4.8-mile fell race with 1,300ft of climb. It starts at 7.30pm from Llangynhafal.
* Next Friday, Tattenhall Runners celebrate their 25th anniversary in the form of a 'friendly' relay followed by a buffet. As many as possible of all former as well as current members have been invited, including Raewyn Bailey and her husband Brian (currently Deputy Lady Mayoress and Lord Mayor respectively). It is hoped Raewyn will run one of the relay legs.
