THREE of the top five in Sunday’s re-arranged East Lancs Hospice 10k were local runners, but they were pipped by Salford Harriers ace John Lloyd.

More than 300 runners turned out for the big Great Harwood event and were led by Lloyd in 36 minutes and 7 seconds.

But he was pushed close by Trawden AC’s Dave Potter, who was not only second overall in 36mins 43secs but also the fastest MV40, and Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ Jacob Harriers, who followed up in third in 36mins 54secs.

Also making the top five were Accrington Road Runners duo Chris Walton and Graham Morris.

Walton was fourth in 37mins 3secs and Morris fifth in 37mins 24secs, which ensured he claimed the MV45 prize.

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Neil Tattersall, of Darwen Dashers, was seventh in 38mins 23secs, Steven Gregory, of Trawden AC, was eighth in 38mins 59secs, and Andrew Chew, of Barlick Fell Runners, was 10th in 39mins 2secs.

One place behind in 11th was Accrington Road Runners’ Paul Gallagher, whose time of 39mins 8secs meant he claimed the MV55 prize.

Allan Hartley led Blackburn Harriers’ charge, finishing 16th in 39mins 49secs.

Burnden Road Runners’ Paula Pilling was the fastest female and FV35 in 37th overall in 43mins 17secs.

The other female age group prizes went to Trawden AC’s Nicola Nuttall (fastest FV40 and 44th overall in 43mins 52secs), Rossendale Harriers’ Vanessa Hamlet (fastest FV45 and 61st overall in 45mins 28secs), Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ Irene Roche (fastest FV55 and 71st overall in 46mins 31secs), Barlick Fell Runners’ Jean Rawlinson (fastest FV60 and 139th overall in 53mins), Trawden AC’s Steph Taylor-Bolshaw (fastest FV50 and 154th overall in 54mins 11secs), and the unattached Susan Riley (fastest FV65 and 219th overall in 59mins 40secs).

The other male age group prizes went to Trawden AC’s Fraser Snape (fastest MV45 and 25th overall in 41mins 29secs), Blackburn Harriers’ Peter Lynch (fastest MV60 and 96th overall in 48mins 48secs), Preston Harriers’ Alan Appleby (fastest M65 and 43rd overall in 43mins 49secs), and Clayton-le-Moors Harriers’ David Scott (fastest M70 and 81st overall in 47mins 31secs).