AN annual village fell race is set to be named after a record-holding runner who died from cancer.

The Tockholes Evening Fell Race, which takes place in July and run by the Darwen Dashers, will be renamed as the Tockholes Don Ashton Memorial Fell Race.

Mr Ashton passed away last August at the age of 77 in East Lancashire Hospice after suffering from blood cancer.

The dad-of-three, who also had three grandchildren, was the English fell running champion in 1989 and 1992 and British champion in 1990 and 1992 in his age group of 50 to 54.

He also holds the record for the Tour of Pendle Fell Race in that age group, now in its 34th year.

Calvin Ferguson, Mr Ashton’s grandson, said he was probably one of the best runners to ever come out of the town.

He said: “The English and British Championships is extremely difficult to win.

“You have to get a decent amount of points in about seven different races to win it.

“Most of his success came in his 50s which is incredible. He was fitter than me and I’m 26.

“I think he’s very deserving of having this race named after him. Anyone who has been running for the past 10 or 15 years on the moors will know him.

“I don’t think there’s been a better runner to come out of the town.

“He wasn’t the type of grandad who sat around reading the paper he was always up and about.”

Mr Ashton was a member of Darwen Dashers for around 10 years and prior to that ran with Blackburn Harriers.

All entry fees from the race will be donated to East Lancashire Hospice and any profits from the Darwen Heritage Half Marathon in April will also go to the cause in Mr Ashton’s memory.

The race itself on Thursday, July 6, is 9.4km long and starts and ends at The Rock pub in Tockholes.

Chris Cash, chairman of Darwen Dashers, said: “He was a lovely, supportive and unassuming man.

“Many of the people who ran with him said he was competitive and enjoyed a bit of banter.

“He was never boastful about his achievements.”

Mr Ferguson said: “He enjoyed the Tour of Pendle a lot and also loved running in the Lake District.”

The race will begin at 7.15pm.