KARL Darcy finished a superb 45th out of 25,537 runners in Sunday's 10k Great Manchester Run.

First across the line for the Blue Vests, the in-form endurance athlete clocked 33mins 25secs but the windy conditions put paid to a personal best.

Also in the top 100, Phil Marsden missed out on a personal best by just two seconds in finishing 69th.

It was a fabulous effort considering it was his first competitive race this year, with the added aim of raising money and awareness for Home-Start Bolton and Bury.

Junior Megan Robinson was the only female amongst Bolton’s other representatives, finishing in 52:16.

In the associated Great Manchester Junior Run, Isabella Merritt clocked 13:11 to collect a brilliant bronze in the u11s category. Also competing were Hannah Swales (16:51), Robbie Jackson (18:40) and Adam Clarke (20:55).

BUH&AC times: Karl Darcy 33:25, Phil Marsden 35:35, Tommy Harrison 36:49, Dean Johnson 41:03, Paul Geraghty 42:01, Adrian Costello 44:14, Stuart Parsonson 46:16, Laurence Jackson 46:33, Megan Robinson 52:16, John Grimshaw 55:06, Ged Tucker 58:47.