HORWICH fielded three complete teams and one joint team in the Witton Park Trail Relay last Thursday and they all finished in the first eight of 98 teams.

Ever since its inception, the event has been well supported by Horwich runners with a fair sprinkling of success.

As is the friendly nature of the event the teams often have creative names and this year's winning trio went by the name of "Bolton's best runner and 2 hasbeens".

Nick Leigh set the ball rolling, but finished trailing Barlick's Jimmy Craig and Bolton's Anthony Valentine by a few seconds.

He handed over to Michael Cayton who ran a storming leg to turn the 13-second deficit into a 30-second lead to hand over to Chris Fazzamatazz who stretched the lead to nearly two minutes for the fastest time of the day.

Behind the winning time were The Special Ones from Barley and in third place "Two Reds and A Blue" comprising Valentine, handing over to Joe Mercer who in turn handed over in second place to Leigh, running his second leg of the day with less than 15 minutes rest.

In fifth were the winning vets team comprising Horwich RMI Harriers Gareth Booth, Dave Jackson and Paul Massey. The lastminute.com team came eighth led out by recent vet, Alastair Murray handing to Jonathan Bruton and the glory leg fell to youngster Luke Massey, finishing just 38 seconds adrift of his dad.

Results: 1 Bolton's best runner and 2 hasbeens – Nick Leigh 14:57; Michael Cayton 14:29; Christopher Fazzamatazz (Farrell) 13:54 = 43:20; 3 Two Reds and a Blue – Anthony Valentine 14:48; Joe Mercer 15:08; Nick Leigh 15:47 = 45:43;

5 The Old Gits – Gareth Booth 15:07; Dave Jackson 15:38; Paul Massey 15:57 = 46:42; 8 lastminute.com – Alastair Murray 15:40; Jonathon Bruton 15:38; Luke Massey 16:16 = 47:34.

Saturday’s White Bear Way Challenge, from Adlington via Blackrod, Rivington (Liverpool Castle), Rivington Pike, Horden Stoops, Healey Nab and Limbrick attracted 43 walkers and 25 runners for the 21-mile event and 67 walkers and 10 runners for the 10-mile distance which returned to Adlington from Liverpool Castle.

Horwich results: 21-mile event – Runners: 2 Nick Leigh and Alastair Murray 3:02:00; 17 Paul Boardman 4:41:00; 21 Christa Whatmough and Maggie Slamin (Lostock AC) 4:56:00; 23 Ed Swift 6:37:00. Walkers: 11 Gordon Stone 6:18:00

10-mile event – Runners: 1 Glyn Kay and Derek Kay 1:38:00; 4 Gillian Smith 2:11:00. Walkers: 27 Keith Lewthwaite 3:35:00.

Sunday's Wigan Trail 10k saw Tony Hesketh take the V65 category in 45mins50secs in 52nd place and new member Peter Hamlett have a good run in 114th in 51:56 amongst the 235 finishers.

The 2.5k fun run attracted a handful of Horwich juniors with Luke Brindle second overall and first u12 and Amelia Bailey second girl.

Horwich results: 2 Luke Bailey (M12) 9:05; 7 Amelia Bailey (F11) 9:45; 13 Freya Whittle (F9) 10;12; 20 Grace Pendlebury (F9) 11:05; 39 Ella Pendlebury (F11) 17:35.

David Lee finished 214th of 419 finishers in last Wednesday's Sale Sizzzler 5k race in a time of 21:28.

Meanwhile, Horwich RMI Harrier Michelle Sunter completed the 42-mile Joss Naylor Challenge inside the qualifying time of 16 hours last weekend.