FOR the first eight miles, a home victory was on the cards at the Chorley Harriers' Sweatshop 10 Mile Road Race, thanks to the run of the day by Chorley Harriers' Keith Johnson.

In his own words, it was nip and tuck as to who would finish first.

Eventually, Wesham strong man Steve Littler edged away to win in 53:41, Colin Rigby of Horwich was second in 53:46, and Johnson took third in 54:05.

"I'll be back next year," he vowed.

Three of our local clubs made it a counter for their own Club Championships, helping the field to a record number of 350 entries.

Between them, Accrington Road Runners and Darwen Dashers fielded nearly 40 with Accrington's Graham Collinge the highest finisher with tenth and second over 45 in 56:35. Blackburn Road Runner Mick Nester continued his run of class wins in the veteran 50 class with 15th outright in 57:57.

The Dashers, meanwhile, were without series leader Simon Smith, and it was his namesake Andy Smith who took the honours with 24th in 59:49.

Unusually, the winning woman was an over 50 veteran, Susan Cooper of Southport who took exactly 64 minutes.

Blackburn Harrier Jackie Taylor led home the locals with eighth in 71:50 with Caroline Scholes of Chorley Harriers ninth in 72:36.