MARATHON man Harry Haseley has completed 128 marathons - surely more than anyone in our region - but now he is in training for a run of just 500 yards.

Harry has been chosen to be a member of the relay team which will carry the Commonwealth Games baton around the country before the Games.

It starts its route around the Commonwealth at Buckingham Palace on March 12 and returns to Britain for the last 50 days when 5000 runners with pass through 500 towns.

Harry's big day is July 22 when the baton passes through Chorley.

One of the main reasons for Accrington Road Runners' success, the 60- year -old is the epitome of the committed club servant.

Three times he has served as President, and at the moment he is Vice President. He is involved in all the club's events and is the main organiser of the Hyndburn 10K.

This year's London Marathon will be his 20th - he has missed only two since the first in 1981- and he is the organiser of the club's annual trip to the capital. Harry was nominated by Gill Craske who ran the New York Marathon with him two years ago.

The Accrington Club held it's Annual Awards Evening at the Bold Street Club on Saturday when the trophies were presented by Club President Brian Scully.

Brent Hoggan became the first athlete to progress from Best Improver to Club Champion within a year, while Fell Champions Adrian Nicholls and Debbie Gowans, and Ladies Overall Champion Leigh Hargreaves all defended their titles.

Overall Champion: Men: 1 Brent Hoggan, 2 Dave Gaskill Veteran: Geoff Biscomb M50: David Heppenstall Women: 1 Leigh Hargreaves, 2 Gill Craske and Kim Lowes Veteran: Debbie Gowans Fell Champion: Men: Adrian Nicholls Women: Debbie Gowans Most Improved: Men: John Allen Women: Kim Lowes