CHRIS Barnes led Blackburn Harriers home in the first of four races in the Todmorden 5k Winter Series.

Barnes took sixth place in 18 minutes and 16 seconds and was followed by Laura Hesketh (14th in 19mins 34secs) and father and daughter duo Trevor Rutherford (29th in 21mins 49secs) and Kelsey (30th in 21mins 53secs).

Ten Harriers were also in action in the Wesham 10k.

First past the post for the club in eighth was Tom Blaney in a personal best time of 34mins 22secs.

Matt Nuttall (15th in 35mins 12secs) was the second V45 past the post.

V55 John Chaplin (35th in 37mins 18secs) was also runner-up in his age group.

Michael Toms impressed when finishing 48th in 38mins 10secs. He was closely followed by the returning Mark Almond (49th in 38mins 16secs).

Elsewhere, Shaun Livesey finished fifth in 57mins 27secs at Guy’s 10 Mile Road Race.

Meanwhile, Chorley members were in action at the Mid Lancs Cross Country League race at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Under-11s Jack Hughes (19th), Amber Boardman (41st) and Martin Rimmer (38th), U13s girls Alisha Ibitoye (38th), Caitlin McCarrick (44th) and Emily Hunter (47th), and U13s boys Ben Hughes (16th), Jack Wilson (25th), Scott Gouldthorpe (33rd), Henry Wilson (40th) and Nick Draper (44th), all rounded the course.

Only two female Chorley runners took part, Christine Sweatman (84th) and Alison Fowler (96th).

But the club had a stronger turnout in the men’s section with Dave Biddulph (129th) l;eading the charge as they finished a respectable 28th overall.

International race walker John Payn, meanwhile, took himself off to Hillingdon, Middlesex for the British 20k Masters Walking Championships where he won the over 80 title.