Horwich fell-running stalwart Dan Gilbert performed well in the Lake District at the 22-mile Buttermere Horseshoe.

With 8,700 feet of ascent, the event is categorised as “Super Long” in the Lakelands Classic Trophy Series., starting at the northern end of the valley at Loweswater Village Hall before visiting several summits to the eastern side and crossing at Honister Pass to return by the western skyline.

Gilbert ran the early stages with erstwhile Horwich runner Andy Ford, now a member of Calder Valley Fell Runners, who was taking part in the short version of just less than 13 miles before continuing on the full route to finish in 36th position in a fine time of 5hrs 39mins 33secs.

It was not the longest run a Harrier did this weekend though, as Paul Grundy picked an arguably even more scenic spot, taking on the RAB Snowdon Skyrace.

This 24-mile race started and finished near Llyn Cwellyn and featured almost 11,000 feet of ascent in total. Despite a bad attack of cramp at Crib Goch, and losing three places as a result, Grundy still came home in seventh in a splendid 6:22:53 while also being second in the M40 category.

Gareth Webb continued on a stream of 5Ks after a fine 19:23 at the Podium 5K in Barrowford by running the Sale Sizzler last Thursday evening. It speaks records for his excellence this season that he felt he could do better than his time of 19:53, but still took first M65 in the process by three minutes.

Horwich’s youngsters produced an array of excellent performances at the latest Youth Development League meeting, the boys clocking up 17 personal bests between them and the girls doing even better with 19. They finished second behind Lancaster and Morecambe.

In addition, six athletes from Horwich RMI Harriers and the endurance training group have qualified to represent their county at the highest domestic level of track and field competition for U18 athletes - the English Schools Championships, in Birmingham, next month. Benjamin Hall, Harrison Stokes and Ben Topham will compete over the steeplechase, Alex Glew and Isabel Goodman in the 800m and Amelie Smethurst qualified in the 1500m.

Meanwhile, parkrun saw several creditable performances. Rob Jackson decided to go back to Sale Water Park after almost four months of preferring Peel, coming back as first M55 in a fast 19:18. Michael Crook and Lynn Smith took on the trails of Pennington Flash and ran respectable times of 36:26 and 39:37, respectively. At Worsley, Jason Middleton finished in the top half of the field with 27:40, while Haigh Woodland saw a few intrepid Harriers take to the hills, Chris Charnley being fastest in 21:16 and Graham Schofield just over a minute behind in 22:23, while Gail Maxfield came close to sub-30 with 30:25 and Gillian Smith produced one of her strongest runs there in several months, clocking up 34:57. Lindsey Brindle completed Stretford in 20:42, while Tony Hesketh was first V75 at Worden, in 28:06.