STRONG winds and plenty of mud made for difficult conditions for the annual Arthur Biggs Cross-Country Handicap in Ashey on Sunday morning.

With very slippery conditions under foot, 37 runners completed the course in an event that featured some great performances throughout the field of predominantly members of Isle of Wight clubs.

The runners has a staggered start with a handicap worked out as an average of their times over the first two races of the series — the Ryde Harriers Championship and Isle of Wight Championship.

The runners started in order of handicap, from the slowest to fastest, with their actual handicap average, plus their finish time.

In the women’s handicap, unattached athlete, Kelly Waddams, completed it in a combined 1.06.44 off a 24.36 handicap.

Rosie Eldridge was the highest-placed Ryde Harriers runner in 1.11.03, off a 27.40 handicap.

Brian Warren, of Ryde Harriers, won the men’s handicap event in a combined 1.12.40 off a 39.47 handicap.

He beat fellow Harrier, Alistair Gibson, who completed the event in 1.01.38, off a 23.25 handicap.