BURNLEY’S Marc Hartley was back in his home town last week to prove he is a cut above the rest by running away with the inaugurul Towneley Park 5k race.

The 25-year-old long distance expert, who is based in the Midlands and represents Staffordshire Moorlands AC, only makes the occasional sojourn back to East Lancashire for competition.

But on Sunday, he was among the top names putting their mark on the newest addition to the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix for 2012.

Organised by John Roche, chairman of the Grand Prix, the race was held inside the park on a flat fast course.

And it was former Burnley AC runner Hartley coming home first in a time of 15 minutes and 15 seconds.

He was followed in second place by current Grand Prix leader Stephen Chew (16:17).

The Wharfedale Harrier, the winner of last week’s Burnley Lions 10k, has now finished first or second in eight of his last 10 races. A trio of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers were battling for third spot, and that eventually went to Matthew Laur (16:33), while Ian Livesey (16:41) and Gary Shaw (16:48) were not far behind.

Shaun Livesey was ninth for Accrington Road Runners.

For the ladies, Amy Green of Keighley and Craven AC continued her excellent form to claim the ladies’ prize in a time of 18m 34secs.

Blackburn Harriers youngster Elizabeth Greenwood was second female and also first junior in a time of 19:01.

Following in third place, and also second junior, was Clayton’s Helena Leathley.

The Vet category winners were as follows: Men – V40 Gary Shaw (Clayton Harriers), V45 Glen Goodwin (Accrington Road Runners), V50 Kieran Horrigan (Unattached), V55 Thornton Taylor (Rossendale Harriers), V65 Tom Targett (Clayton Harriers) V70 Richard Lawson (Clayton Harriers).

Women: FV35 Gayle Whittaker (Clayton Harriers), FV40 Amanda Stirling (Keighley & Craven), FV50 Irene Roche (Clayton Harriers), FV60 Glenis Speak (Northern Vets).

John Roche wished to thank the sponsor Kieran Fletcher of Fundamental Coaching and everyone for their support of the event and for helping to raise funds in aid of the Pendleside Hospice.

Last Friday, Clayton’s Stuart Fogg was the winner of the Grand Prix’s Hapton Golf Balls Fell Race near Burnley.