BOLTON United Harrier Andy Parker was only narrowly beaten for first place by Dave Norman (Altrincham) in the third Horwich RMI Harriers Jubilee Race.

Andy battled all the way but was just pipped in the sprint finish by 2 seconds.

The race saw a record number of finishers since the Jubilee was run over its original five mile course back in the 1980s.

The 311 who completed the event included 14 Bolton Harriers and 48 Horwich RMI Harriers.

Horwich won the men's team award being led home by Paul Muller in seventh (first V45) closely followed by Adrian Selby in eighth. Paul had a great run even though this was his third race in less than a week and he was pushed all the way by Adrian.

Horwich's team of four was completed by excellent runs from Colin Rigby (11th) and Bendan Bolland (14th). Paul Massey also ran well and only just missed out on a top 20 finish.

The race saw a welcome return to racing for Tony Rowlands and Nigel Barlow, both past Jubilee winners.

Horwich's eldest male runner Alan Robinson took the V70 prize, again showing the youngsters the way.

Sue Jones was the club's first lady to finish in fifth (first L35) leading team mates Suzanne Budgett (ninth, second L35) and Audrey Foster (13th, first L50), who both had excellent runs, to team victory.

With just one Jubilee race to go on August 28 Sue Jones now heads the ladies in the series standings with the Ladies team also in pole position. The Horwich men's team are currently lying in second place, only one point behind rivals Wigan Phoenix with their highest placed man being Steve Jackson in a superb fifth.

Horwich RMI Harriers Jubilee Series (Race Three, July 7): 1 D Norman (Altrincham) 18.57; 2 A Parker (Bolton) 18.59; 7. P Muller 1st V45 (Horwich RMI) 19.53; 8. A Selby RMI 20.01; 11 C Rigby 20.16, 14. B Bolland 20.29, 16 D Shaw (Bolton) 20.33; 17 M Hill 20.35; 20 N Hatchard 20.43; 22 P Massey (RMI) 21.01; 25. C Seddon 21.09; 27 C Heys 21.16; 28 T Hatchard (Bolton) 21.20; 33 T Orrell V45 RMI 21.30; 36 S Jackson V45 21.32; 37 I Selby Bolton 21.33; 43 I Hamer V40 RMI 21.48; 48 S Barlow V40 22.14; 49 M Kay 22.15; 50 I Shakeshaft V45 Bolton 22.17; 51 T Rowlands RMI 22.25; 54 J Allwood Bolton 22.37; 55. A Sunter V40 RMI 22.38; 56 P Reed V45 Bolton 22.38; 63 P Boardman RMI 22.50; 66 T Hesketh 2nd V50 22.51; 71 N Barlow V40 23.13; 72 E Ranicar V50 Bolton 23.14; 77 C Jones V40 RMI 23.21; 89 M Selby Bolton 23.51; 91 A Gorman RMI 24.01. Ladies: 1 B Allott Salford 21.36; 5 S Jones 1st L35 RMI 24.09; 9 S Budgett 2nd L35 24.50; 13 A Foster 1st L50 26.00; 14 G Higson L35 26.40; 15 S Gorman 27.04; 18 E Smart 2nd L40 28.11.

Teams (Men) 4 to count: 1 Horwich RMI 36; 2 Wigan P45; 3 Bolton 52. Ladies 3 to count: 1 Horwich RMI 25; 2 Chorley H 56; 3 Middleton H 56