THE third On The Run Countryside Tour of Horwich and Rivington running races has started.

The Tour continues to grow in reputation with entries up to 135 this year from 120 12 months ago.

The first of the five-race tour, was the testing 6K Trail Race, the Science In Sport Lever Park Run held on the slopes in Lever Park below Rivington Pike.

While this was a shorter race than in the previous two years, due to a plant disease problem in the Chinese Gardens, the amended course involved more climbing.

Last year's individual Tour winners were local athletes, Janet Rashleigh (Horwich RMI Harriers) and Paul Freary (Belgrave Harriers), and both have entered this year's event.

Last year's overall Tour runner-up, Michael Aspinall (Lancaster and Morecambe AC), came out on top in last night's first race, finishing seven seconds ahead of Nick Leigh of Altrincham.

Bashir Hussain, of Stockport, was third and first over-40 age group runner, with Horwich's Darren Kay in fourth ahead of Freary in fifth.

In the ladies category, Janet Rashleigh was also pushed hard in the defence of her title. Louise Gardner (Lancaster and Morecambe) was first lady in 26.42, 13 seconds ahead of Wigan Phoenix's Jane Raffell (first over-35 runner).

Carmen Anthony (Belle Vue Racers) was a further 1min 17secs behind second place, finishing third lady, with Janet Rashleigh fourth lady (first over-40).

Horwich came out on top in both the men's and ladies' team categories. In addition to Janet Rashleigh (lady over-40) Tony Hesketh was also a category winner (over-55).

Results: Science In Sport Lever Park Run: 1 M Aspinall (Lancaster & Morecambe)* M 21.54; 2 N Leigh (Altrincham) M 22.03; 4 D Kay* M 23.23; 7 C Heys* M 23.52; 17 S Nolan* 3rd M45 25.33; 20 D Hayes* 3rd M40 25.59; 23 P Boardman M40 26.18; 24 M Kay M 26.30; 26 T Hesketh* 1st M55 26.36; 27 D Fleming* M45 26.39; 34 R Green* M40 27.15; 39 C Jones* M40 27.34; 40 D Mason* M 27.35; 47 A Sunter* M45 28.05; 56 J Rashleigh* 1st L40 28.26; 62 A Murphy* M 29.02; 63 M Lysycia* M45 29.07; 65 J Foulds* M45 29.12; 66 R Metcalfe* L 29.16; 69 P Bland* 3rd M55 29.46; 76 K Makin* M55 30.59; 0 I Smith M50 32.05; 91 D Fairhurst* M 32.09; 99 S Baines M40 32.47; 103 I Charters* M50 33.15; 104 K Latham M45 33.16; 116 L Pinnell* M 34.32; 123 G Stone M45 34.51; 135 K Smith* L35 35.57; 144 J Barlow* L35 37.27; 154 M Sunter* L40 39.40; Finishers 159.

Ladies' Teams (3): 1 Horwich 30; 2 Wigan P 36. Men's Teams (4): 1 Horwich 48; 2 Wesham RR 115. Men's B Teams (4): 1 Horwich. Men's Vets Teams (4): 1 Horwich 37.

* denotes Tour competitor