RISING Blackburn Harriers star Grace Handley stole the show in the final Red Rose Cross Country League race of the season at Marl Pits, Rossendale.

Not only did the returning Handley storm to FU17s glory in 19 minutes and 58 seconds she also surpassed the time set by the ladies race winner, the all-conquering Joanne Nelson.

The Darwen Dashers star made it four victories from four by coming home in 20mins 10secs.

Nelson’s domination meant she claimed both the ladies and ladies veterans overall titles.

On the day she was pushed by Chorley Athletic and Triathlon Club’s Lynne Clough, who was second overall and the fastest LV45 in 20mins 54secs. Following up in third, and as the fastest LV50, was Accrington Road Runners’ Deborah Gowans, in 21mins 3secs, with Blackburn Harriers’ Helen Leigh fourth in 21mins 3secs.

Also making the top 10 were Darwen Dashers’ Hannah Shaw, who was seventh in 22mins 15secs, and Hyndburn AC’s Ellen Sagar-Hesketh, who was eighth in 22mins 27secs.

Katherine Thompson, of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, was the fastest LV60 and 62nd overall in 28mins 25secs.

Accrington Road Runners won the ladies veterans team prize on the day and the overall crown.

Clough finished third in the final ladies standings, behind Nelson and Trawden AC’s Christina Singleton, and second in the final ladies veterans standings, again behind FV40 Nelson, while Shaw topped the final FU20s standings.

Rossendale Harriers’ Joe Johnston was the winner of the men’s race in 28mins 42secs with clubmate Rob Webb third in 29mins 11secs.

Johnston and Webb helped Rossendale Harriers to win the men’s team title on the day along with the overall crown.

James Logue, Gary Shaw and Matt Nuttall also bagged top-10 places.

Todmorden Harriers’ Logue was the fastest MV45 and fastest veteran overall in fifth in 29mins 46secs with Burnley AC’s Shaw the fastest MV40 and sixth overall in 29misn 52secs. One position behind in seventh was Nuttall in 30mins 2secs.

Todmorden Harriers topped the men’s veterans team standings on the day and overall.

Webb was second in the final individual men’s standings with Shaw third and the overall winner of the men’s veterans prize.