MARC Tillotson produced a strong finish to take the individual honours and lead Bolton Harriers to an impressive team win in the first race of the Central Lancashire Grand Prix series at Leverhulme Park on Sunday.

Tillotson, returning to competitive action after an injury, took the lead with 400 metres to go in the 5K multi-terrain event which attracted a 300-strong entry, and powered to the finishing line to romp home in 15minutes 47seconds.

Tony Valentine, who set a strong early pace on the steep downhill section of the course which took in parklands, trails and roads finished second in 16:03 with his junior team-mate Tom Carson third in 16:19.

Ian Bowles finished fourth, Jonathan Kay (sixth) and Seamus walker (eighth) gave Bolton six finisherrs in the top 10 and a comfortable win the the men’s reace.

Astley & Tyldesley were second and Horwich RMI third.

In the women’s race, A&T’s Bolton-based Maria Lowe led unchallenged from the start and won in a time of 18:57 followed by Jo Goorney (19:25) and and Horwich RMI’s Suzanne Budgett third (20m 05s). A&T won the women’s team prize, with Burnden Roadrunners second and Bolton third.

Delighted organiser Nick Howarth said: “BUH&AC only joined the Grand Prix this season, so to have a turnout as high as this exceeded all our expectations. It bodes well for our Bolton 10K road race in April, which incorporates part of the 5K route.”

The 10K takes place on Sunday, April 17. With more than 300 runners already entered, anyone interested in competing is advised to get their entries in early.

Information is available at www.bolton10k.co.uk.

The next race in the Grand Prix series will be on Sunday, March 6, when Burnden Roadrunners will stage the Trotters Five at Smithills Coaching House.

Results MV 40 Paul mannion (A&T) 16:52; MV45 Pater Chan (A&T) 17:24; MV 50 Steve Nolan (Burnden RR) 17:34; MV55 Ken Fowler (Bolton) 19:46; MV60 Evan Cook (Blackburn) 19:14; MV 65+ Dave Waywell (Wesham RR) 22:00; MJ (U20) Tom Carson (Bolton) 16:19.

FV35 Caroline Scholes (Bolton) 20:26; FV40 Joanna Goorney (Wesham RR) 19:25; FV45 Suzanne Budgett (Horwich RMI) 20:05; FV50 Anne Ferguson (Burnden RR) 22:08; FV55 Susan Catterall (Northern Vets) 23:05; FV60 Eileen Royle (Radcliffe) 25:38; FJ (U20) Emma Holden (Unattached) 27:14.