IT was a weekend of winners and some fine performances on the national stage as Horwich spread its talents across a wide range of events.

On the fells Phil Marsden kicked off the winning ways at Midgley Moor fell race, tracking Todmorden’s Andrew Worster for much of the race before excelling on the final stretch for his first win in the Horwich vest.

On the road, Michael Cayton was a clear winner at the Lostock 6 race and, with team-mates Michael Hallas and Dan Gilbert, were second in the team competition behind Bolton United Harriers.

Lindsey Brindle was second woman home and took the F35 prize

And the third winner for Horwich last weekend was Nick Leigh at the Stockport trail half marathon where he was more than three minutes clear of the second-placed competitor.

In the English National cross country championships Chris Farrell was just over a minute off a podium finish in a very competitive senior race, finishing 26th in a field of more than 1,600 athletes and fifth finisher from the North West. Horwich took six juniors to the championships, several having their first taste of the national arena, and they all did themselves and the club proud.

Some of Horwich’s juniors were also competing the following day further north at the Ilkley Moor fell race as they tuned up for the forthcoming English junior fell running championship season.

At the same race their coach, Tony Hesketh was third V60 finisher.

The Winter Track marathon in Warrington provided 12 of the runners' group with an opportunity for competitive and sociable team racing on the track.

As one of the larger teams taking part they each ran a portion of a marathon and finished a very creditable 11th place.

In parkrun, Lukas Siska and Richard Howarth each finished first at Haigh Woodland and Cuerden Valley, respectively, for the second week running.

At Haigh Woodland it was a one-two-three for Horwich with Lukas followed home by Nick Kelly and Luke Brindle, another junior in good form.

Horwich RMI results: Midgley Moor fell race (Halifax) – 1st Phil Marsden 43:14.

Saucony English National XC Championships (Loughborough) – senior men – 27th Chris Farrell 41:06, 238th Ian Conroy 45:37, 904th Chris Essex-Crosby 53:53; u15 boys – 161st Robert Seddon 16:49; u13 boys – 161st Toby Middleton 14:02; u13 girls – 192nd Isabella Merritt 15:23, 219th Milly Lever 15:34, 265th Eva Baldwin 15:56, 285th Freya Whittle 16:07.

Lostock 6M road race (Bolton) – 1st Michael Cayton 30:37, 9th Michael Hallas 34:02, 21st Dan Gilbert 36:42, 39th Lindsey Brindle 39:08, 46th Michael Chadderton 39:08, 53rd Layne Mercer 39:37, 116th Steve Thomasson 45:15, 131st Gordon Stone 46:17, 144th Gemma Stokes 47:28, 228th Mark Dacre 57:03, 263rd Philip Wood 1:05:14.

Terry Nortley 10 mile multi terrain race (Radcliffe) – 17th Rob Jackson 1:06:18, 109th David Barnes 1:23:56.

Stanley Park 10k road race (Blackpool) – 4th Paul Muller 36:18.

Stockport Trail half marathon – 1st Nick Leigh 1:15:44.

Ilkley Moor fell race – seniors – 163rd Tony Hesketh; u15 – 24th Lydia Johnson 19:21; u13 – 12th Ethan Isaacs 7:36, 15th Freya Whittle 7:49; u11 – 33rd Theo Middleton 9:16.