Horwich Harrier Sam Fairhurst again put in a standout display at the ninth round of the Run the Moors Gran Prix series, Holcombe Two Towers, to finish third.

Over the steep route across and around Holcombe Moor offering numerous punishing climbs, Fairhurst’s performance dazzled adding another podium position to what is turning out to be a fine season for the youngster.

He finished in 34mins 32secs but hot on his heels, was man-of-the-moment, Matt Fawthrop, claiming fourth in 36:00.

Despite the rain making for a treacherous initial steep climb up to Peel Tower and a twinkled toed finishing descent through Redisher Woods, the Red Vests had a very rewarding evening with vet-category wins for Dan Gilbert V40 (38:45), Lindsay Brindle FV40 (42:53) and Sandra Kelly F50 (46:50) ensuring Harriers rambled off with the men’s and women’s team prizes.

Kevin Newall was 41st (46:20), Nick Kelly 25th (42:24, third M50), Garry Chadderton 43rd (46:45, third V60), Alison Mort 48th (47:03, second F40), Lawrence Pinnell 80th, in 51:23, and Helen MacDonald came home in 84th position (52:04).

The evening’s results ensured the men stay top of the team competition in the series and the ladies third with three rounds to go.

The same evening, Gareth Webb competed for England Masters against their Welsh counterparts at the lightning-fast Mid Cheshire 5km at Kingsley, near Frodsham, where the course record stands at 13:45.

In an ominous fifth time competing for England Masters, Webb finished fifth M65 from a quality international field - just missing out on a podium position where bronze was a hotly-contested finish with third to fifth separated by mere seconds.

While it might have been difficult to spot the other three Horwich speedsters mixed in with approximately 3,000 runners, it was not hard to miss the year-on-year improving Isaac Battaye’s eye-watering near sub-15-minute time of 15:03.

Club captain, and all-round legend, Alastair Murray ran a splendid comeback time of 16:42 and youngster Harry Yates completed the course in 18:54.

Strong results were had by Colin Rigby and Gary Porteous who took on the Blackleach Country Park Five-Mile Multi-Terrain Race in the beautiful green belt surroundings of Blackleach Country Park, in Walkden. Rigby was sixth and second Vet55 (31:58), while Porteous was second Vet 50 in 35:53.

The aptly-named Danny Hope took on the very challenging Grizedale Horseshoe race formed by his father and a few of his friends. The event is a traditional 10-mile fell race with 5,000 feet of ascent with competitors taking a route of their choice, starting and finishing in Glenridding to various trig points including Catsye Cam, Helvellyn, Grisedale Tarn and St Sunday Crag, and halfway back up Birkhouse Moor. Hope completed his ardous task in 2:29:00.

While there was no shortage of strong results for the seniors, Horwich juniors showed they are a force to be reckoned with at Wigan’s Robin Park for the Primary League medal meeting.

It was a very successful night with 17 runners winning a delightful haul of 14 gold, nine silver and 13 bronze medals.

There were so many excellent performances to report. Beatrice Green won the Year 4 girls’ 75m and won two bronze medals in the 150m and javelin events.

In the Year 5 girls’ events, Tilly Hope was second in the 75m and placed third in the 150m, while Holly Burke won the javelin contest, with Annabelle Burke second and Amber Carolyn completing a clean sweep of the podium in third. Amber also won both the 600m and 1200m races.

In the Year 3 boys, Zac Shan took second place in the 150m, 600m and long jump, while Seb Farnworth won javelin and was third in the 150m and 600m races. Sam Hoban won the 75m and placed third in 600m.

The Year 5 boys had an excellent night with Henry Hellewell in shot, Adam Wiktor in 1200m and Louis Yates all picking up first places, and with Donnie Johnson they all picked up bronze medals in 75m, javelin, 150m and long jump.

The Year 6 boys won the most medals on the night - nine altogether - including five golds, Theo Bolton in 150m and 600m, Aaron Shan in 1200m and javelin and William Hoban in high jump. Harry O’Connor took a second place and two third places.