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Last Saturday was the final fixture of the Metropolitan Cross Country League. The five-race series runs throughout the winter, with Athletics Clubs from London, Herts, Middlesex and Essex vying for the title. Founded in 1966, the MET League is one of the oldest cross country leagues in the UK.

XC is running at its purest. Times are irrelevant: the battle is between you and your competitors, you and the course, you and the conditions. No one gets paid to do this, each race is organised by volunteers, runners turn out simply to race for the sake of racing, all before debriefing - mud-stained and sore - at the pub afterwards. This year Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets Athletics Club (VPH) claimed the overall women's series, with Highgate Harriers taking the men's title.

Molly (VPH), Scott (London Heathside), and Liam (Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers) all headed to Trent Park to race through the mud for their respective clubs.

Take a peek inside the world of Athletics Clubs and English Cross Country in its muddy glory with Ben's photo gallery: