ATHLETICS: Bolton United Harriers’ Anthony Valentine was the winner of the club’s 25th annual 10k road race for the second successive year.

Valentine – the club’s road runner athlete of the year – continued his fine form to add to his victory in the Lostock 6 last month.

He led from the start of the race at Leverhulme Park, but came under pressure in the closing stages to win in a time of 32 mins 10 secs – three seconds ahead of runner-up Alasdair Russell of Kendal AC.

Leigh Harrier Leane Sheehy won the women’s event in a time of 39:5.

Radcliffe Athletic Club ladies won the team prize.

Of the seven members in the 460-strong field, Donna Cartwright was eighth woman home in 44:2.

Team-mate Yasmin Parapia clocked 48:46 and Kath Davies, who was second vet finished in 45, 51:01.

Leading the Radcliffe club home was Mark Williams (V40) in 41:36. Michael Shroot ran 53:54: Denise Kay (V40) 55:18 and Angela Bell (V40) 57:54.

Students from Bolton University’s sports rehabilitation course provided massages to runners before and after the race and raised £70 for charity.

In the South Cheshire 20 at Crewe, Radcliffe’s Adrian Harris ran a superb time of 2.16:25, finishing sixth overall and first vet 55. Gary Wilson was third vet 45 and 20th overall with 2.26:52.

Mark Emmett was first vet 50 to finish the first of four 5k races at Chorley in 22:30.

Vet 60 Eileen Royle and George Critchley completed the undulating 9.3-mile Puma Hawkshead Trail race in the Lake District, which included 1,460 feet of climbing in 1.54:00 and 1.45.00 respectively.