SHAY Walker’s 1hr 23mins 14secs took the honours in Radcliffe AC’s new 13 Arches Half Marathon– his first win at the distance in six years of competitive racing.

Walker did not panic when Bury’s Benn Heywood shot off like a train to lead on the exit from the old-fashioned track at Cams Lane.

Upon catching and matching the pace for 200m, he upped it to take the lead unchallenged until the finish line.

Also among the 224 field, Chris Pickford clocked 1:33:48 for 17th overall (fourth M40), while Cecilia Woods was third F55 (117th) in 2:00:15.

Meanwhile, Bolton’s Central Lancashire Grand Prix winners attended the awards evening at Swinton RC’s base to collect their well-deserved prizes.

Nicky Cartridge grabbed the headlines as the open women’s champion, with age-group category wins for Ken Fowler, Cathy Flitcroft and Simon Dally.

The female junior contest witnessed the closest battle in the competition, with Rachel Bailey eclipsing Olivia Kearney on countback for first and second.

Bailey also joined Paul Mills in achieving an endurance standard of competing in nine of the 10 CLGP races – a sign of consistent fitness given the competition unfolds over nine months.

All came together to collect the cup for the A Team (first 10 counters).

Victory over Burnden Road Runners means Bolton keep the trophy they have held continuously since joining the series in 2011.