DANNY Hope beat his own course record by 15 seconds at the Mearley Clough Fell Race at Worston.

The Pudsey and Bramley runner completed the 3.5 mile course in 30:01 to finish clear of Clayton's Simon Thompson and Garry Wilkinson, who were timed at 31:19 and 32:13.

Fourth and the leading veteran in 32:34 was Ian Greenwood, while Andy Robinson was first over 50.

There was more Clayton joy in the women's race as Vanessa Peacock won in 39:47 with Candice Leah second.

Chorley Harrier Dawn Atkins took third, while Anthony Hayes was first junior for Darwen Dashers.

Chorley cheer

CHORLEY Harriers fielded over 20 athletes for the first of four summer night races at Haigh Hall, Wigan.

Lancashire vest Keith Johnson was their star as he finished third of over 150 runners in 26:09.

With Gareth Booth 13th in 27:35 and Russell Baron 29th in 29:04, the club finished third team. John McDonald was second over 60 as Diane Ridd took eighth in the women's race.

Class victories

THERE were class wins for three local athletes at the Golden Ball 5K Road Race at Lancaster.

Clayton Harrier Tony Chew was fourth outright and first over 40 in 16:16, Blackburn Harrier Evan Cook was the winning over 50 in 17:22 and Bill Atkinson of Northern Vets took the over 65 category in 19:50.

Elsewhere, Blackburn Harrier new boy Graeme Holden was third of well over 300 runners in the Ripley School Supper Run and Pendle's Michael Hunt took 15th of 850 in the Sandal 10K at Wakefield.

BOFRA opener

THE first race in the BOFRA series is the Sedbergh Gala Race on Saturday.

The organisation was originally the domain of the professional lakeland guides, but nowadays anyone can take part without losing their amateur status!

These fell races are usually short and straight up and down, and are often part of a village show or gala.

The Sedburgh Race is at 1.30pm at the Showfield, Sedbergh on the A684, six miles east of M6 J38.

Categories are under 12, under 14, under 17, senior, vets and women.

Star entries

IT MAY be too late to enter the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, but it promises to be a memorable race for spectators too.

Kenya's World Record holder Paul Tergat heads the men's entries, while Margaret Okayo, winner of last month' s London Marathon is entered in the women's contest.

Tergat, the winner of this 10K race last year, will have among his challengers the Australian Craig Mottram, winner of the recent Bannister Mile.

If you can't get there in person, look out for the race in the BBC Grandstand programme.

Stanhill start

THE Stanhill Fell Race is on Tuesday at 7.15pm.

The race is 5M/800 starting from the Britannia Pub, Haslingden Old Road, Oswaldtwistle.

There is also a junior race of two miles with under 11, under 14 and under 16 categories starting at 6.30pm.

What's On

The second of the Adidas/On the Run Chorley Park 5K Series races on Friday evening is also the fourth race in the ukresults/Sweatshop Challenge. The race starts at 7pm from the Main Park Gates at Astley Park on Park Road. The junior one mile race is at 6.30pm. Chorley AC members not racing are asked to marshal or officiate.

Race Two of the Pendle and Burnley GP is the Burnley Lions 10K on Friday. The two lap road race starts at Colne Cricket Club 7.30pm.

The penultimate fixture in the Pendle Forest Orienteers Spring Series is at Alkincoats Park, Colne on Saturday. With options of White and Yellow courses or a 30 minute score event, it is suitable for novices who should arrive at around 10am to receive top tips. Registration is from 10am to noon with starts from 10.30am to 12.30pm. For further details call Tom Gray on 0161-766-5666.

Sunday's Darwen Triathlon is fully subscribed and a reserve list is in operation. The event is based at Darwen Leisure Centre and includes a swim of 800 yards, 19 mile cycle and five mile run. Registration is at 7.15am with the start at 8am.

The first of four summer races at Harrock Hill is on Wednesday 7.30pm.