Mud was the theme for Halstead Road Runners athletes with a choice of the notorious Steyning Stinger and the Mill Hill Marathon.

The notoriously tough Steyning Stinger is run over distances of 13.1 or 26.2 miles on the South Downs in Sussex and features hills and mud, which were added to by strong winds on Sunday with elevation gains of over 1,300ft.

Bob Langley bravely took on the full marathon course, however, an ankle injury forced him to retire at 20 miles, while Jim Leaney chose this event to run his first half marathon and put in a spirited performance to complete the course in two hours 30 minutes one second.

RESULTS: Glynn Stone 2h 2m 39s, Sam Woltan 2h 5m 17s, Neil Poulter 2h 5m 42s, Andy Carter 2h 8m 55s, Jim Leaney 2h 30m 1s, Wendy Carter 2h 32m 10s.

Meanwhile, Dan Smith and Andy Wilmot chose the inaugural running of the Mill Hill Marathon.

This multi-lapped off-road course in North London, was by no means a stroll in the park and was run mainly on muddy bridalways and flooded fields. Conditions were heavy to say the least, however, both men finished with Wilmot back in 5h 3m and Smith in 6h 3m.