ANTHONY Valentine won the third midweek Astley Park 4.4-mile trail race as Ken Fowler also had cause for celebration.

M60 runner Fowler demonstrated his eagerness to get back on the racing circuit after a year of injury problems.

Just taking part was a test in itself as he just about made the start line following a mad dash to get there on arriving home from a three-week holiday on a Greek island.

And it was worth it as he clocked 30mins 7secs to finish 20th overall and first in the M60 category.

Valentine returned to winning ways, running 24:35 to head the field of 86.

In the associated junior fun run, Isabella Merritt won the F11 race and was fifth girl overall in 5:57.

Elsewhere, Amy Howatson won the junior category at the 13.1-mile Blackpool Hilton Half Marathon in 1:43:17.3, finishing sixth female overall.

The Northern Masters 10k at Radcliffe saw Fowler again win the M60 category in 42:37.

M65 Alan Fielding clocked 57:45 and M70 Ken Mayor ran the 5k in 31:57.

The first of the Sale Sizzler 5k series at Wythenshawe Park saw personal best times achieved by Phil Marsden with 17:01 for 44th, and Chris Topping with 19:33 for 127th.

Scott Crompton finished seventh in the Wigan Trail 10k in 38:32 while Shaun O’Dwyer went full steam at the Race the Train race from Bury to Rawtenstall, completing the 19k course in 1:10:17 for ninth place with Chris Pickford 26th in 1:15:33.