Over 600 young runners battled atrocious conditions in the first stage of the 26th annual Neiley Race.
The race, at Honley High School playing fields, Neiley, challenged children, aged seven to 11, from schools across the valley and Huddersfield.
Almost 1,100 pupils from 28 schools registered for Wednesday’s event – but the number of entrants dropped to 663 after heavy rain turned the course into a mud bath.
The competition, run by Holmfirth Harriers, continues on May 21 and June 4 at Honley High School playing fields, Neiley, Honley.
Event organiser Rowan Eastwood, of the Harriers, said: “The weather was terrible. It rained most of the time, very heavily.
“The children did very well considering. Some of them had mud on their faces by the end of it.
“They did really well, especially as most of them won’t have run in those conditions before.
“Some of the races were really close.
“We’ve had more schools asking to be involved so we’re hoping to extend it next year.”
Last year’s race, also known as the Holme Valley Junior Schools Summer Cross Country League Races, attracted 1,099 children from 28 schools.
The event sees competitors run the same race three times on three separate dates.
The Neiley Races include individual and team prizes with a 1,080-metre course for children in years three and four, and a 1,827m course for pupils in years five and six.
Stage One winners: Girls year three and four: Eve Sutton, Holmfirth JIN School
Girls year five and six: Frances Keddie, Wooldale Junior School
Boys year three and four: Matthew Burke, South Crosland Junior School
Boys year five and six: Sam Crawshaw, Hinchliffe Mill JI School.
Click here to see pictures and a report from last year's event.
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