ENTRIES for the Horwich RMI Harriers 50th Open Rivington Pike Fell Race on Saturday have been flooding in from all over the country.

Runners from as far away as Arbroath, Anglesey, Brighton and Peterborough will take part with a record number of entrants predicted.

Horwich RMI Harriers' Pike Race organisers have been delighted with the response to this year's anniversary race and are thrilled to report that 36 past winners from the last 50 years will be there.

These will include a regular famous runner in the event, Ron Hill, who won it in 1961, 1965 and 1966 and will be competing in his 34th Pike Race.

The oldest past winner to enter the race is 68-year-old Gerry North who won in 1959 when he was the first runner to break the 17 minute barrier.

Others attending will include 71-year-old Roy Fowler, the oldest past winner able to be there, who won the Pike Race in 1962.

Roy won the World Cross Country Championships in San Sebastian in 1963 and another of his many great achievements was to run the second fastest ever track 10,000m at the British Championships, held on the ash track at White City in the 1960s, in a time of 27 mins 18 secs.

Runners can enter on the day at the Crown Hotel, Chorley New Road, Horwich. Entries on the day start at 1pm and it is £5 for club runners and £7 for unattached runners.

The first 400 entries will receive a commemorative Royal Doulton Plate. All runners get a free hotpot at the Crown after the race. The race starts at 3pm from the end of Lever Park Avenue.