ATHLETICS: Clayton's Carr won't be stopped

And it was the sixth time in seven races since the 56-year-old reached his half century. On the other occasion he was second!

The Clayton runner is jointly the most successful over-50 in the history of the race after his success and he still has three years left in the age group.

Around 50 East Lancashire athletes from Clayton, Rossendale and Todmorden joined the annual exodus to Scotland to take part in the 10-mile long classic.

The race climbs from near sea level to Britain's highest peak and then returns.

Garry Wilkinson, also of Clayton, was 14th in 1:43:20, and Todmorden's Jon Wright was 23rd in 1:47:26.

That duo led the Lancashire challenge led the challenge, as they had last year, but it was the Clayton trio of Carr, Ian Greenwood and Wendy Dodds who took the plaudits.

Lancashire county vest Greenwood has recently joined the veteran ranks, and his 50th place overall, combined with Carr's 56th, gave them the Heaton Trophy awarded to the leading veteran pairing.

Dodds, who is the reigning English Veteran Champion, has had her 50th birthday since winning her Championship, and she won her new age group with a tenth place finish in the ladies race.

Ahead of her were Todmorden pair Jane Smith and Sue Becconsall were second and third F40s, while Jack Holt, of Clayton, was third M50.

Fell running in Scotland has been largely unaffected by foot and mouth restrictions, giving the local runners an edge, and it was David Rodgers of Fort William club Lochaber AC who was first home, ahead of four time winner Ian Holmes, of Bingley.

As part of their preparations, five of the leading Clayton runners resorted to drastic measures.

Wilkinson, Greenwood, Steve Whitaker, Lee Thompson and Neil Worswick went to Switzerland a fortnight ago for the 31km Sierre Zinal Mountain Race.

Wilkinson, who had run it seven years ago was 52nd of 1000 runners, but he wasn't the first Lancastrian home as Billy Burns, from Lostock Hall, finished second.