BLACKBURN Harriers ace Pete Matthews was the convincing winner of Darwen Dashers’ David Staff Memorial Fell Race on Sunday.

Matthews came home in 25 minutes and 31 seconds, more than two minutes ahead of Horwich RMI Harriers Michael Cayton, who was second in 27mins 49secs.

Following up in third was Matthews’ clubmate Matt Nuttall, who was the fastest MV40 in 27mins 57secs.

Just missing out on places in the top 10 were Rossendale Harriers’ Stephen Corbishley, who was 11th in 31mins 10secs, Blackburn-based Michael Chalfont, who was 12th and the third-fastest MV40 in 31mins 15secs, and Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ Andrew Orr, who was 13th overall and the fourth-fastest MV40 in 31mins 42secs.

There were also top 20 spots for Orr’s clubmate Alan Life, who was the third fastest MV50 and 15th overall in 32mins 21secs, and Darwen Running Group’s Mick Leigh, who was the fifth fastest MV40 and 16th overall in 32mins 23secs.

Darwen Dashers duo Simon Taylor and Paul Taylor finished in 17th and 18th position in 32mins 41secs and 32mins 43secs respectively.

Ali Keates was the fastest female and 27th overall in the race in 34mins 25secs. She also claimed the FV50 title.

The other female age group prizes went to Horwich RMI Harriers’ Sandra Kelly, who was the fastest FV40 and 63rd overall in 37mins 8secs, and Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ Katy Thompson, who was the fastest FV60 and116th overall in 41mins 54secs.

The other male age group prizes were won by West Pennine Runners’ Neil Holding, who was the fastest MV50 and ninth overall in 30mins 45secs, Kendal AAC’s Michael Walsh, who was the fastest MV60 and 24th overall in 34mins 8secs, and Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ David I Scott, who was the fastest MV70 and 106th overall in 40mins 57secs.

The race was run in memory of David Staff, who joined Darwen Dashers at 15 and competed in many fun runs as a junior.

David turned 17 on December 5, 1994, which allowed him to compete as a senior for the Dashers.

His first and last race as a senior was in the Clitheroe 10k on December 27, 1994. David collapsed and died by the road side from a condition called Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

Funds raised from the race go to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young.