A DAMP night in Astley Park was the setting for the first Trail Series race of the season.

Julian Goudge led Chorley Athletic and Triathlon Club home in sixth in a time of 25 minutes 32 seconds, with Robert Walsh passing the post in 13th.

The chasing group was competently led by Ainsley Murphy, followed by Joe Allman, Jonathan Matlock, Paul Wareing, Bill Beckett, Alan Blackwell and Paul Bass, all of who were in the top 60.

The fit-again Jonathan Burgess came 66th, ahead of Michael Hendry, Steven Wilde, Chris Charnley, Antony Lloyd and Les Paul.

Laura Murphy was Chorley’s first lady back, followed by Josie Hull, Marie Boyle, Rachel Gibson, Lara Dickinson and Lian Nelson-Verracha.

In the junior race, Jack Wilson finished an excellent fourth, while Caitlin McCarrick was the fastest girl.

Oliver Goldthorpe just beat Daniel Liley, Jack Hughes and Jacob Hughes for 13th, 14th and 15th and 18th place respectively.

Meanwhile, at the windy Morecambe Half Marathon, Joe Duckworth finished fifth in one hour, 22 minutes and 32 seconds, closely followed by Chris Lane in 11th in 1hour, 30mins 9secs.

Completing the Chorley contingent was V70 John Swift, who clocked a superb time of 2hours, 8mins 41secs.

Race walker Phil McCullagh was first place in the Allen Trophy Handicap Race around Chorley’s hilly course.

He completed the 15-mile event in 3hours 20 secs.