BOLTON’S recent run of strong showings in the Northern Athletics’ 12-Stage road relays continued with an overall 13th place in Blackpool which, although one place lower than last year, still represented an improvement considering there were 19 more starting teams (69).

The women’s showing in the 6-Stage was equally significant – a sterling seventh of the 59 starters.

That the men’s squad also managed to field a full B Team is evidence the club is moving in the right direction.

After qualifying so well in the regionals a fortnight ago, it was unfortunate that both Bolton’s men’s and women’s teams were incomplete at the ERRA National Road Relay Championships at Birmingham’s Sutton Park.

Credit goes to the runners that made the journey: Karl Darcy (38) 28:40, Frazer Jardine (35) 16:49, Andrew Crickmore (48) 32:34, Declan Toomey (43) 17:19, Rhys Francis (48) 31:59, Paul Trainor (47) 19:02 and Laura Lombard (20) 32:47.

The Decathlon Bolton Duathlon saw several multi-eventing Harriers compete amongst the 146 field – with Paul Trainor (1:43:04 – 5th), Tom Lucas (1:44:14 – 7th) and Dean Johnson (1:51:11 – 20th) among the top performers.

Elsewhere, the West Lancs Tri in Ormskirk saw Nick Howarth clock a sub-nine minute swim and sub-20 5k to finish 57th of 398 starters (1:06:48.40).