THE mud was once again sent flying over the weekend as athletes stepped away from the track to get the long-awaited cross-country season up and running.

On Saturday, members from 22 athletics and running clubs from Essex, Hertfordshire and Middlesex travelled to Claybury Park for race one of the Met Cross-Country League, where they covered distances from 2km to 8km.

Runners, including the team from Finsbury Park-based club London Heathside (pictured), were also out in force for the opening fixture of the Sunday cross-country league, which was held at Cheshunt Park.