THE season for the big road races has begun well with Michael Cayton and James Kevan excelling in half marathons.

Cayton achieved a fine seventh place in a field of more than 3,000 runners at the Wilmslow Half Marathon and James Kevan took second place at the Wigan Half Marathon, a minute behind the winner but three minutes ahead of the third-placed finisher.

The 2017 fell racing season is also under way and the Area Fell Grand Prix, competed for by seven Lancashire clubs, had its first race at Heptonstall. The fixtures in the grand prix double up as the club fell championship in which Dan Gilbert put down an early marker, taking top points as the first Harrier home, ahead of Nick Kelly and Doug Fleming who were fourth and second respectively in the 2016 club championship.

Next up in the grand prix is Horwich's own famous Rivington Pike race on Easter Saturday. The club has had great encouragement over the years from Horwich Rotary who were at the USN Arena track last week to present a cheque

in support of the Pike race.

The Harriers’ juniors impressed on the night in the presence of Horwich Rotary community chairman Keith Maher and England coach David Lowes, who led the coaching session.

Glynne Lever, the club’s vice-chairman was also on hand and said the Rotary’s contribution is vital in enabling the club to help create the ambition for junior athletes.

"Last year two club members, Chris Farrell and Lindsey Brindle, both Great Britain internationals, won the Pike race, inspiring the juniors who benefit from our dedicated and enjoyable coaching programme," said Glynne. "As Horwich athletes they can also achieve and many of them have done just that in recent months.

"As well as the financial input the support from the Rotary is a great endorsement from the wider community of what we are trying to do with the Harriers."

There was also a great sense of community on a sodden Sunday in the West Pennines for the East Lancs Long Distance Walking Association’s Two Crosses Challenge.

Several Horwich members walked and ran the 17 and 25 mile routes. Andy Ford was second in the longer route in a time of 4hrs 2mins.

I was very different to the bright blue skies of the 2016 event but this year 212 athletes completed the two courses, an increase from the 173 taking part last year.

Erica Booth runs for the Harriers but, as a member of Bolton Tri, is a rising star of triathlon and duathlon sport and has qualified to race for Great Britain at the ITU Duathlon World championships in Canada later this year. This weekend she won the first mix duo prize at the Firefighters 2up Duathlon with Bolton Tri teammate Andrew Trafford.

In parkrun Richard Howarth maintained a great run of first places at Cuerden Valley while at Haigh Woodland there was a one-two for Horwich thanks to Nick Leigh and Andy Lloyd, who also set a new personal best.

In the junior parkrun at Queens Park, Harrison Stokes, who finished second, and Ben and Josh Topham – who were fifth and sixth respectively – made great debuts while Freya Whittle led the girls' challenge by finishing third.

Wilmslow half marathon – 7th Michael Cayton 1:10:03, 200th Richard Marlton 1:26:55.

Wigan half marathon – 2nd James Kevan 1:13:37, 140th Kevin Newall 1:36:41, 1463rd Julie Williamson 2:21:13.

Wigan 5k – 118th Geoff Leech 23:29.

Podium 5k (Barrowford) – 24th Lukas Siska 16:14, 25th Alastair Murray 16:18.

Longsleddale fell race – 36th Graham Schofield 50:54.

Heptonstall fell race – 38th Dan Gilbert 2:23:48, 69th Nick Kelly 2:33:12, 165th Doug Fleming 3:04:21, 239th Lawrence Pinnell 3:36:58.

Firefighters 2up Duathlon (Horwich) – 24th Erica Booth 2:15:03.