THE mere presence of Nick Howarth on the start line of Salford Triathlon Sprint Distance (750m swim, 20K bike and 5K run) was sign of competitive determination, after a couple of months affected first by glute muscle issues and then a freak ankle fracture.

Nonetheless, he was buoyed by swimming nearly a minute quicker than last year’s event, while the bike and run elements were only seven minutes slower.

His 1:24:16 netted 69th of the 358-strong field.

The longer standard distance (double at 1.5K/40K/10K) race also featured Tom Carson – 2:13:39 (25:10, 1:10:30, 35:50) 11th and Andrew Doyle – 2:33:18 (26:47, 1:19:17, 44:03) 75th of 464 taking part.

The fourth and final fixture of the Upper (under-17s and u20s) Youth Development League took place at Whitehaven. Dedicated Rory McGrath made the long journey as Bolton’s sole representative and competed in the 200m, 400m, triple jump and discus, amassing 23 points.

Unsurprisingly, Bolton finished last of the seven teams on the day, but McGrath’s efforts ensured Bolton survived relegation from the North West One Division by a single point (11) compared to Border Harriers’ 10 and Team North Cumbria’s five.

Bolton United Harriers results: Wythenshawe Sale Sizzler – 14 Declan Toomey 15:58 (MU20 2nd), 38 Matthew Walker 16:50 (MU20 6th), 107 Laura Lombard 18:05 (F35 3rd).

Padiham Greenway 5K – 20 Paul Mills 18:22 (M50 1st).

NMAC 5,000m Track Championship – Ken Fowler 20:18.4 (M60 2nd), Paul Turner 20:53.5 (M55 4th).