BOLTON United Harrier Danny Show put in a sensational run but fell agonisingly short of his target of a sub-32 minute time at the Telford 10k.

Statistically proven as the fastest 10k course in the UK the race had a seriously strong countrywide field.

A two-lap traffic free tarmac course utilising Telford Town Park for this England Athletics Age Group Masters Qualifying Event, Shaw joined club-mate Martin Reid in the event.

Shaw finished in exactly 32mins - just one second shy of his pre-race target and Reid was typically first to congratulate his slightly disappointed team-mate who nonetheless had run a magnificent race.

He said: “Danny’s run was an absolutely sensational effort.

“It was a fast course stacked with class runners and he ran a pretty even first and second 5k but really went for it in the last 400m with a sub-65secs and was extremely unlucky not to get the sub 32.”

With regards his own performance (34:30) Reid explained: “I didn’t run as well as I would have liked.

“I’m taking a couple of weeks off for Christmas. I need to recharge mentally and physically as I have been running five days a week since doing a marathon last year.

“I need to miss it and get desperate to be back out there again.”

Two more ‘Blue Vests’ made the short journey up the A666 for the Blackburn 10k.

Sully Badat has been making great progress recently with the Bolton parkrun and has improved by more than a minute in a month.

He proved he had the stamina for the longer distance and won his V45 age category in a time of 37:13 and an overall top-20 finish.

One of the leading runners in Aidie Costello’s Endurance Group, Badat has been training well, both at home and with his Harriers group.

He said: “I have really enjoyed my running these last few months, I have lost some weight and feel in the best shape I can remember.

“Blackburn went totally to plan and am really pleased with my performance.”

Harriers warhorse Mark Wolstencroft was not far behind and galloped home in 37:52 for a second place in the V55 age category.

He added: “If the finish had been around the whole of the Ewood park pitch I would have seen the other V55 in front of me and I might have had him.”

Sunday also saw the Greater Manchester Cross Country Championships at Leigh Sports Village.

Harriers only had a handful or young athletes taking part on the day and coach Gwylim Jones said: “I have been really pleased with the enthusiasm to turn out event after event by Lily Philbin, Emily Wood and Cerys Jones.

“Emily in particular was taking part in her first under-13s race, moving up from the U11s and she put in an outstanding performance.

“Eve Blaney was also taking part in her first event of this kind and I was delighted with her.”

Will Tomlinson and Heather Brown travelled up to Longridge for the Christmas Pudding Seven Miler and the couple who run for Bolton Harriers again secured fine finishes.

The Longridge course is a tough and undulating one over the beautiful Longridge fells, all on roads.

But buoyed by their recent Bolton Parkrun gender firsts, the young couple went into the event in confident mood.

They gritted their teeth and battled round in 41mins 56secs and 46:48 respectively. Tomlinson earning a podium finish and Brown first female yet again.

Tomlinson said: “I was just grateful to have come through some injury issues and finally get on the start line following a solid block of training.

"It was obvious early on that first place was out of reach, however I found myself in a tough three-way battle for the remaining two podium positions.

"Over the last downhill mile I managed to kick on from fourth to second place through the finishing line which I was super pleased about.”

Brown has had a stunning first year in competitive running with gender firsts in virtually everything she has entered and at various distances.

Gushing with pride, she said: “I am super happy to finish my road running race year on a high, taking first lady.

"Our coach Dave Shaw’s advice was to enjoy it and get stuck in - I took an early lead with the front pack and knew I just needed to keep the pace.

"Being a frequenter of hill running I knew I was in my element as a misty Jeffrey Hill approached.

"After four and half miles of climb it was all downhill from there.

"Being the home stomping ground of my mum and grandparents I really wanted to win it for them and they were waiting with loud cheers at the finish line.”