THE Blue Vests’ resident mountain goat Phil Marsden added multi-discipline eventing to his repertoire, undertaking the duathlon organised by Holcombe Harriers.

Consisting of a 17-mile bike ride sandwiched between two five-mile fell runs, the route was a testing trek up to Pilgrims Cross on Holcombe Moor.

Claggy conditions at 9am from the Hare and Hounds gradually cleared as the race climbed, with Marsden and Wallsend Harriers’ Harry Coates opening up a big margin over the rest of the 52 field.

A hashed T1 meant a frantic chase on the undulating bike ride through Holcombe Village, Helmshore, Crowthorn and Edgworth, before another hashed transition produced a gap that could not be closed on the last fell run, done in reverse meaning a very steep climb in the first mile.

Both athletes beat last year’s course record as Marsden collected silver in 1hr 56mins 26secs (run 1 – 30.46, bike – 50.44, run 2 – 34.10).

Elsewhere, new endurance coach Aidy Costello was joined in the Bury 10K by Ged Tucker, who set off like a train but ran out of steam on the tricky hill at the end, and Chris Pickford who led the way with a sub-40 effort.

BUH&AC times: 25 Chris Pickford 39:06, 129 Adrian Costello 44:11, 1026 Ged Tucker 64:09.