PHIL Marsden clocked 39mins 40secs for five-and-a-half miles with 900 feet of ascent at the Golf Ball fell race.

Good conditions, although wet underfoot, led to a good battle with Horwich’s Joe Mercer for third place in a 151-strong field, which the latter took by eight seconds.

Coupled with a fifth place at Whittle Pike fell race and third at Pilgrims Cross fell race, Marsden finished Rossendale’s midweek fell series in silver position for the second year running.

Tommy Harrison also claimed another podium for Bolton United Harriers, collecting a bronze in the Horwich Jubilee five-miler by going six seconds quicker than a month ago.

Seven other Blue Vests were among the 84 runners and in the series, Simon Dally claimed the vets’ title with the best three of four race points.

As an M45, his four points from a second, first, third and first finish in the four races was five points better than Chorley’s Rob Walsh (M40).

Results: 3 Tommy Harrison 27:15, 7 Simon Dally 28:36 (first M45), 9 Matthew Walker 29:03 (first MU20), 11 Simon Walker 29:57, 12 Scott Crompton 30:16, 18 Dominic Gavin 31:55, 23 Liz Proctor 33:02 (first F40), 35 Dave Flitcroft 35:11.

In the juniors’ street race for u12s, three Boltonians finished.

Results: 2 Isabella Merritt 6:01, 7 Lily Philbin 6:26, 17 Sam Philbin 7:13.

Simon Dally then warmed up for the upcoming Bolton Half Marathon by collecting a top 10 in strong winds over the 13.1 miles at Fleetwood.

As part of the leading group, an extra 400m was covered in error, but his 1:22:08.96 for seventh was still impressive. Elsewhere, Danny Shaw clocked 39:44 for 74th at the Birchwood 10K.