ROSSENDALE fell ace Brendon Taylor defended his Great Hameldon Hill Race crown, recording back to back wins with another five-star show.

Taylor, who was running for Rossendale Harriers last year but is now an unattached runner, finished the race in 38 minutes and 42 seconds – fractionally behind his 2012 winning time.

The race marked the start of the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix Race series, with the fell race beginning from Accrington’s Peel Park school field, taking runners over the Coppice, Moleside Moor and Great Hameldon Hill.

It always provides a strong test for competitors over the six-mile long course and demanding 1,100 feet of ascent to the summit.

But jet-heeled Taylor again proved far too good for the rest of the field, finishing well clear of runner-up James Craig.

Dave Motley, from Clayton-le-Moors Harriers and who finished an excellent seventh in the race, said: “The conditions were perfect, the fell had dried out and it was good for running.

“It can be pretty boggy, but it was a very good race to start the summer series.”

Gareth Jackson, Rossendale Harriers, also ran a splendid race, securing fourth place with a time of 41 minutes and one second.

Breton Holdsworth was the first home for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, one place behind with a strong finish of 41mins and 13 secs.

Scott Hitchen, also from Rossendale Harriers, was eighth, stopping the clock on 41 mins and 52secs – with David Naughton (M50), Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, home in 42mins and 57secs to take 13th place.

There was a huge turn out from Clayton-le-Moors, with Andrew Orr (17th), John Roche (19th), Ian Livesey (25th), Kevin Davies (26th), Paul Archer (32nd), Lee Smith (33rd) and Stephen Biscomb (37th) all claiming places in the top 40.

Veteran Ian Hutchinson (M50), Bowland Fell Runners, finished 41st with a time of 48mins and nine secs, while Lee Booth MV45 (Trawden AC) was two places behind.

Fiona Hall, also from Trawden AC, clocked 49mins and 7secs, with Kevin Smith (Darwen Dashers, MV45) in 50th place with a time of 49mins and 15secs.

Blackburn Harrier Stuart Furness won the V-65 prize after clocking 54mins and 57secs.