ULTRA runners took part in an unusual pre-Christmas race.

The 40-mile loop, dubbed the Warrington Way, took in public footpaths, trails, and country lanes and started and finished in Lymm.

It went through Rixton, Birchwood, Croft, Winwick, Burtonwood, Bold, Penketh, Moore, Hatton, Stretton and High Legh before ending in Lymm again.

Fourteen Lymm Runners took on all or part of the gruelling route on December 20, starting at 7am and finishing about 4pm.

In very wet conditions, runners Georgina Walker and Phil Rowen were delighted to complete the full 40 miles for the first time.

Georgina said: “I first started running just two years ago with Lymm Runners, and would never have imagined that by now I would be taking on an ultra like this.

“Those last few miles were so incredibly tough, but I made it.”

Run organiser Kieran Walshe said: “We are planning to organise a race on this fabulous 40-mile route in 2015 – which runners can enter either solo, or in relay teams of four people.”

n For more information e-mail raceadmin@lymmrunners.org.uk.