Chorley Harriers' first meeting place when it was founded back in 1985 was Astley Squash Club - so when they began to promote their own races Astley Village was the obvious choice.

Every summer, on the first Wednesdays in May, June, July and August, they stage a four-mile road race and, to date, it has been held around 80 times, in recent years with sponsorship from Leyland Trucks.

Although there are other long standing series, like the Haigh Hall and Horwich Jubilee events, this one has stuck to roughly the same route allowing athletes to plot their progress (or decline) over the years.

Since 1998, the best time recorded has been the 18:57 set by Ben Fish last July, but club officials believe that Rossendale's Dave Lewis may have gone faster in the early days.

Even on this fast two-lap course, sub 20 minute times are rare, but there were three in this May's race including 19:44 by Blackburn Harrier Fish. However, that wasn't sufficient for victory on this occasion with Antony Ford from Blackpool clocking 19:18 and Fish had his hands full to deprive Paul Freary of second.

His consolation was a share of the team prize as in-form Paul Guinan in sixth, David Thornton eighth and Mark Almond 28th, backed him up.

Rossendale Harrier Jon Ferguson took ninth spot with John Sutton placing 13th and first counter for the hosts. Neil Tattersall, from Pendle, returned to competition after being knocked out during the London Marathon to claim 14th.

Clayton Harriers Colin Shuttleworth and Ted Orrell won the over 45 and over 65 classes, with Terry Robinson of Northern Vets the first over 60.

Katie Ingram, who lives in Astley Village, won the women's race in 22:43, placing 25th outright in a strong field of 174 finishers. Ingram won the English Junior Fell Championships in three different age groups and learned her trade at Chorley Harriers.

Katie Morris, from Blackburn Harriers, seventh in 26:22, was the winning junior, while Chorley Harriers Pam Smith, Nicola Raby and Anna Crabtree were eighth, ninth and 10th respectively. Crabtree was the winning over 40 veteran.

l Chorley Harriers have reduced the price of entry for their annual 10 Mile Road Race, to be held at Worden Park at 11am on Sunday, May 27. Attached runners who pre-enter will be charged just £5, with £3 for pensioners.

There will be £1000 worth of prizes on offer but no mementoes such as medals. Download an entry from www.race-results.co.uk.