Despite overnight snow and early morning fog and ice, Britain's fastest '5' mile race still took place. Despite the traditionally large, top quality field decimated by the conditions, more club members than usual made the trip to Cheshire. Indeed, most of the top ten finishers are coached by our endurance supremo Norman Poole at Wythenshawe and Sportcity.

Anthony Ford (24:54), last year's winner, was forty five seconds down on last year's PB and was narrowly beaten by Luke Cragg (Mansfield). James Bailey (25.07) coped better with the conditions and was only ten seconds short of his 2010 time. Dan Bradford was 38th in 27:26. Sonia Samuels, just returned from her altitude training in Kenya would have found the conditions tough. She was 2nd lady in 27:36. Tim Kennedy moved gradually through the field and was pleased with his 50th place in 28.05 considering the conditions. Sian Holland was a creditable 151st in 33:34 and newcomer Colin Hill finished in 40:04.