SWIMMERS' efforts in an altogether different challenge are being hailed for putting them in a strong position for the sport's resumption.

Winsford Amateur Swimming Club's members and their families racked up around 14 times the number of miles set as the target of a walking mission during lockdown – pounding even further than the airline distance to Australia!

What began as a bit of harmless fun to maintain an element of teamwork and active lifestyle turned into a fully committed and highly charged competition, not only between the swimmers but parents as well.

Head coach Dan Goodwin said: “Such is the spirit of all involved in Winsford Swimming Club, it doesn't matter what challenge is set for our members, they rise to it with a smile on their face, always giving 100 per cent effort.

"I am proud of the determination and competitive spirit that all who took part demonstrated and I am sure that now swimming has resumed that spirit will be translated into the pool.”

Swimmers swapped their goggles for walking shoes as club representative Claire Turner organised the event with the ambition of walking the distance between John o’ Groats and Land's End, the total distance being 1,407 kilometres.

Distances were logged using the Strava app and a small prize was arranged for the family and junior that walked the greatest distance.

The response was amazing.

At the end of the challenge, the total distance covered by WASC swimmers and their families had surpassed original expectation by 18,351 kilometres.

The title for collective effort was taken by the Inch family, with Michelle, Keith and daughters Lexy and Lois notching an impressive 2,472 kilometres.

Northwich Guardian:

The Inch family. Michelle, Keith and daughters Lexy and Lois notched an impressive 2,472 kilometres

Mum Michelle managed 1,171 kilometres on her own in preparation for a hike that she is undertaking to raise money for Macmillan Cancer support later this year.

Izzy Fletcher took the honours as the junior to have walked the furthest.

During the closing days, competition became extremely tense specifically between Izzy and Amelia Fitzgerald.

Northwich Guardian:

Amelia Fitzgerald

Izzy narrowly pipped Amelia to the post by a few kilometers, with each girl in the week leading up to the final day walking in excess of 30km each day.

As for the greatest distance walked on one specific day, that competition took place between Lee Brown (father of swimmers Adam and Abbey Brown) and Tom Kud, 16, and Lewis Turner, 15.

Tom and Lewis led the way for walking 53km for a period of time only to be beaten on the last weekend by Lee walking 55km, who then had to spend a considerable amount of time in the hot tub to recuperate.