THERE was a bumper turnout of 700 runners as Chorley Athletic and Triathlon Club hosted the Lancashire Red Rose Cross-Country fixture at the town’s Astley Park.

And Blackburn Harriers were out in force, with the men’s Under-17 team of Joseph Howe, Robert Buckley and Joe Monk coming home first.

Monk arrived home in fifth place, followed by Buckley in ninth and Monk in 13th.

In the men’s senior race, Paul Guinan was 15th (38.32) and second V-40.

Chris Davies, who ran another fine race, was in 27th (40.00), Alan Hartley 117th (47.39), Ian Clarkson 147th (51.26) and Paul Wilkinson 152nd (51.44) In the ladies races, Jackie Taylor was 39th (22.30) across the line and Louise McCauley 48th (22.56).

The juniors also performed with great credit, Amy Davies continuing her splendid form, finishing fourth in the girls race.

Adam Sciacca spearheaded the men’s challenge for Chorley, taking 18th place, with Joe Duckworth, who has qualified for 2014 World Ironman Championships in Hawaii, next home in 54th.

The men’s team had to settle for tenth place but Tom Kershaw (70th), Ainsley Murphy (97th), Paul Wareing (104th), Jonathan Burgess (110th), Michael Hancock (118th), Bill Beckett (123rd), Warren Crook (145th) and Barry Chester (156th and 3rd V60) all performed well.

Nicki Rushton was first woman home for the club, taking 56th place, while Jane Bowles (79th), Karen Hancock (85th), Christime Sweatman (91st and second LV55), Vicky Burton (93rd) and Joanne Heron (101st) all contributed to the team finishing in 16th place overall and tenth female vet squad.

Paul Holden led home Chorley’s Under-11 boys team in fifth place with terrific support from Joe Bowles (20th), James Hale (21st) Barney Horridge (49th) Owen Kellett (61st), Oliver Murphy (64th) and Matthew Brown (67th).

Chorley’s Under-11 girls squad finished in eighth place with Olivia Leigh first home in 24th position.

In Scotland, John Payn finished seventh overall at the Coatbridge 10k Walking Track event.

Payn clocked 74 minutes and 26 seconds, securing the Vet-80 prize.

Race diary October 26: Mid-Lancashire Cross-Country fixture, Towneley Park, Burnley; November 3: Sweatshop/Dressers Arms, Wheelton, near Chorley, November 9: Red Rose Cross-Country fixture, Leverhulme Park, Bolton.