PHIL Eccleston proved what a class act he is as he finished a superb sixth at the Trimple 20-mile race on what was a below-par performance by his standards.

The race through Lancaster and the stunning Lancashire Lune Valley countryside saw him clock 1hr 58mins 34secs.

Fellow Burnden Road Runner Ed Ashton was next home for the local club in 2:21:55 followed by club-mates Kelly Sullavan (2:46:53), Katy Thompson (2:49:05), Lorraine Halwood (2:53:20), Matt Barker (3:00:01), Bev Walker (3:08:18), Julie Newton (3:19:10), Fiona Ashton (3:21:17) and Dave Beevers (4:14:48).

Andy Staveley and Keith Thomas joined forces with Lindsey Brindle from Horwich RMI in the shorter of the two Two Crosses Challenge Event and completed the 17-mile course through Affetside and the Pilgrim's cross on Holcombe Moor above the Rossendale valley in a time of 2:28:00.

Running the shorter 17-mile course were Colm O'Brien, Jane Forrest and Shirley Staveley who ran together and recorded a time of 3:42:00.

Competing in the longer 25-mile event, Izzy and Martyn Pollitt finished in 5:29:00, just ahead of Sheila and Paul Christie who completed the course in 5:41.

Nick Howarth (2:08:25) and Karen Taylor (2:29:34) ran the annual Coniston 14 road race which raises more than 20,000 for local charities and clubs while Pete Hopley ran 1:30:06 at the Wilmslow Half Marathon where Neil Critchley clocked 1:45:28, Maria Parkinson 2:05:47 and Peter Whiteside 2:11:58.

Clair Marland ran a personal best 2:06:00 at the Gin Pit Half Marathon.