THERE are fears for the future of road racing in the North West after a serious incident in the Great North West Half Marathon at Leyland left one of the athletes with serious injuries.

A 4x4 vehicle towing a trailer carrying bales of hay collided with a group of athletes in Runshaw Lane, Euxton, leaving 42-year-old Gary Morley from the Southport Waterloo Club in hospital with head injuries.

Terry Robinson, from Accrington Road Runners, also required hospital treatment for cuts and bruises, but concerns that he had broken his arm were dispelled following an X-ray.

Afterwards, the 56-year-old engineer sprung to the defence of the race organisation, saying that the race was not unsafe.

"I've lost count of how many times I've run on that stretch and I've never heard of an incident," said Robinson. "I can't understand how I got hit."

Robinson, an experienced athlete, was running just ahead of a small group of runners and heard startled shouts from behind, before being stuck on the right side and flung sideways, injuring his right shoulder, hip and calf.

He explained that he was running on his own, on the inside of the road adding that it was a straight stretch of road with good visibility and there was no traffic coming in the opposite direction.

Race organiser Ron McAndrew confirmed that in accordance with official guidelines there had been a risk assessment study of the course beforehand. He added that the Red Cross was in attendance, and praised the rapid response of the paramedics.

McAndrew is the Race Permits Officer for the Lancashire Athletic Association and is well known for being a stickler for the regulations.

Speaking for the Lancashire AA, President George Kirby said: "Ron McAndrew is very experienced as an athlete and an organiser, and if he has anything to do with a race, it will be done in the proper manner."

The driver of the 4x4 vehicle has not been traced and the police are anxious to speak to any runners who they have not yet contacted, particularly anyone who witnessed the accident. Contact Chorley Road Policing Unit on 01257-246376.

The ninth running of the race from Worden Park had attracted a record field of over 400, and although it was nearly stopped after the accident, more than 360 continued to the finish.

Three local athletes broke the one hour 20 minutes barrier with each vying to be East Lancashire's top dog, an honour which eventually fell to Blackburn Road Runner Rob Wynne.

Currently training for the London Marathon which he completed in 2:44 last year, Rob was ninth overall in 1:18:46 taking second place in the Over 40 standings.

Afterwards he said it was a good race and it would be a shame if future races were stopped because of the actions of one rogue driver. Hard on his heels was Pendle's Michael Hunt, tenth in 1:19:09, while Paul Guinan of Blackburn Harriers was 11th in 1:19:26. Paul Targett and David Lord, both from Clayton Harriers finished in the top 20.

Blackburn Road Runners achieved double success with Sandra Snape heading the East Lancashire contingent in the women's race. Sandra was the winning Over 35 in 1:44:32, while Clayton's Kitty Garnett was first Over 65 in 2:06:43. Race winners were the Wigan Phoenix pair John Worthington and Lynn Jolley.