FOUR friends from Knutsford Tri Club tackled the inaugural Warrington Way race last week – a marathon covering 40 miles.

Paul Stubbs-Jeffries, Pete Openshaw, Jeff Fidler and Pete Price tackled a muddy course in heavy rain before crossing the line among the first 65 finishers.

Former Knutsford Tri Club member Mat Rushbrook classified second overall after timing 5:48.00.

Stubbs-Jeffries followed him in 20th, clocking 7:06.00, with Openshaw close behind in 7:35.00.

Fidler also ranked inside the top 30 in 7:36.00.

Price completed the club’s contingent in 63rd place in 8:57.00.

The first man to cross the line was Charlie Sharpe (Spectrum Striders) in 4:51.00, setting a challenging record for rivals to try and beat in the years ahead.

Shirley Anderson, also representing Spectum, took first prize for females in 6:23.00.

“Despite the rainy weather and the mud we saw almost all runners reach the checkpoints and the finish with smiles on their faces,” said a spokesman for the organisers.

“Everyone seemed to enjoy the experience.”

A second edition is scheduled for November 12 next year.