HORWICH Harrier Sophie Walton achieved double gold in the 100m and 200m at the England Athletics Under-15 Championships at Bedford.

On Saturday, she came through two rounds of the 100m to win the final in a high-quality field of athletes from across the UK. Walton had a slow start but powered through to finish in a time of 12.11secs.

A day later, in wet conditions, she held off the strong challenge from current English schools 200m champion, Success Eduan, of Sale Harriers Manchester, to win in 25.49.

Her coach, Trevor Williams, said: “Sophie has been unbelievable this year, she is Town champion, Inter Counties champion, English schools gold medallist and now English champion at two events."

Walton added: "I never expected to do this well and to pick up two gold medals – I still can't believe it."

Andy O’Sullivan is a leading race organiser and raising large funds for charity and he celebrated 35 years of doing this with an anniversary race at Whitworth – a fast trail track on which Steve Williams (M60), Tony Hesketh (M70) and Freya Whittle (FJ) all won their age categories.

Rob Jackson was the fastest Harrier in sixth but was pipped for the M50 prize by Robin Tuddenham, of Todmorden.

The popular Harrock Hill series of fell races in glorious countryside around Parbold completed its 2018 series with a race win by the Harriers’ Ireland international athlete, James Kevan who is in great form.

Also in perennially good form is Tony Hesketh who took the series M70 prize at Harrock Hill.

Andy Lloyd was fifth in the race and followed up with a first place at Haigh Woodland parkrun.

The seventh round of the Central Lancs Grand Prix took place at Pennington Flash where the Chadderton family had a double success with Michael sealing a podium finish for third place and Kimberley taking the women’s third place.

Hesketh turned out at the Podium 5k, a fast course in east Lancashire, where he was first M70 in the B race, while Gareth Booth was first M45 in the A race.

Mark Seddon is an orienteering specialist and the Kong Mini Mountain Marathon series is an ultimate test of this skill on the fells.

Above Ambleside he had a great result in the latest round, finishing ninth out of more than 170 entrants, with the fell legend Steve Birkinshaw, holder of the record for the fastest ever 214-peak Wainwright challenge, taking the honours.

Joining Andy Lloyd this week with parkrun first places were Richard Howarth (Cuerden Valley), Nick Leigh (Lancaster), James Scott-Farrington (Worsley Woods) and Lucy Dixon (Queens Park).

Horwich RMI Harriers results: Andy O’Sullivan 35-year 5k – 6th Rob Jackson 18:14, 13th Steve Williams 19:35, 32nd Tony Hesketh 22:20, 55th Freya Whittle 24:39, 90th Imogen Wrigley 27:52;

Ellesmere Port 5k – 144th Steve Thomasson 22:04;

Pendle 3 Peaks fell race – 25th Mark Walsh 1:39:11;

Gargrave Show fell race (near Skipton) – 16th Andy Ford 27:25, 24th Graham Schofield 28:48;

Harrock Hill fell race – 1st James Kevan 31:07, 5th Andy Lloyd 34:59, 43rd Carl Balshaw 41:54, 87th Tony Hesketh 46:14;

UCLan marathon (Preston)– 16th Julie Williamson 4:28:26;

Pennington Flash 5-mile trail race – 3rd Michael Chadderton 29:37, 50th Kimberley Chadderton 34:48, 76th Doug Fleming 36:29, 111th Lawrence Pinnell 39:43;

Chipping Show fell race – 3rd Danny Hope 1:06:43;

Golf Ball fell race (Rossendale) – 13th Michael Chadderton 41:26, 19th Dan Gilbert 42:17, 22nd Andy Ford 43:04, 99th Doug Fleming 52:57, 144th Lawrence Pinnell 59:18;

Burnsall Classic fell race – 32nd Graham Schofield 19:52;

Blackpool Illuminations 10k road race – 84th Geoff Leech 46:20;

Kong Mini Mountain Marathon – 9th Mark Seddon 450pts;

Podium 5k (Barrowford) – A race – 24th Gareth Booth 16:23 – B race – 31st Tony Hesketh 21:45;

Tour of Norland moor race – 4th Andy Ford 40:02.