SATURDAY'S opening Mid Lancs Cross County League fixture at Sefton Park, Liverpool is a major event as it incorporates the first round of the Reebok Cross Challenge Series.

The races will give local athletes the opportunity to line up against the British elite.

The disc system of recording results in the Mid Lancs has been dropped this year and instead all athletes will be allocated a race number which they retain for the season. As a further complication, a different set of numbers will be issued for the Reebok Series. For more information speak to your club's cross country captain. Races start with the Under 11s at 11:30am and progress in age group order. Senior women run at 13:55 with the men starting at 14:40.

Pendle Forest Orienteers are holding the third event in their Autumn Series at Marsden Park, Nelson on Saturday. It is signed off the A56, 1.5K NE of the Town Centre. Registration is from 10am for start times from 10:30am. For more information call Tom Gray on 0161-766-5666.

The Bolton Blast Aquathon consists of a 600m swim and a 10.5K run. Start times are from 8am on Sunday at Turton Leisure Centre, Bromley Cross. The field is limited so please check by e-mailing the organiser on tonycumming@lineone.net.

Sunday's Burnden 10K Challenge will be held over a tough new course. Start time is 10am from Smithills Dean Road, Bolton. Registration, changing and showers are at Smithills School Sports Centre.

The Lancashire AA 5 mile Road Race Championships are on Sunday. To be held in conjunction with the Green Drive Five hosted by Lytham St Annes Road Runners, the race starts at 11am. Registration, changing and prize presentation are at Lytham YMCA, while car parking is at St Bede's School on Talbot Drive.