A HAT-TRICK of community races proved a runaway success as locals turned out in their droves to join in.

The series of three 5k races in Over Hulton saw hundreds of adults and kids get running, with more than 90 people attending each evening race.

Team Deane Community Triathlon Club united with Over Hulton Running Club to bring the 5k series to Cutacre Country Park on weekday evenings and last Monday saw the last of the three midweek races.

Organiser Bill Horrocks said the races proved a challenge for the volunteers: “We would have been quite happy with 50 people on each run, we have had way more than we expected.

“We had more than 90 on each night — at the first race it was absolute mayhem, organised chaos.

“We even ran out of numbers and had to write them on the backs of people’s hands.”

“We did it as a series — some people just did individual races, the majority did all three.

"We could not have asked for better.”

The community came together to make the event as good as possible, with one company even donating toilets for runners to use.

The clubs were also helped out by Over Hulton Community Group, which donated a generous £200 to help fund numbers and medals.

The runners not only put their best foot forward, but are now planning for their next races.

Mr Horrocks added: “Everyone was quite welcome to walk the course but nobody did.

"It was all about getting everyone involved, we had mums, dads and kids running.

“Some people were crossing the finish line asking when the next one will be — we’re thinking about an autumn race or making it an annual event.”

Team Deane Community Triathlon Club will also be hosting its fourth annual memorial 10k run on October 5 and organisers are inviting runners to sign up.

The run starts at the Vulcan Pub in Deane, going through Middlebrook and Lostock. The day will also fun activities and a raffle.