JOHN Hartley of Clayton Harriers finished second in the Lake Vyrnwy Marathon in a personal best time of 2:35:14 -- a great effort considering it was his fifth marathon in nine weeks!

John, last year's Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix winner, was only 20 seconds behind the winner and was the leading veteran.

He has been running one marathon almost every two weeks taking in London, Leeds, Blackpool and the Potteries as well as this latest 26 miler.

Mick Nester of Blackburn Road Runners also competed in Wales, finishing sixth overall in 2:50:07 and took the M45 crown just as he had at Stoke last month.

Mick has run four marathons in the last nine weeks, skipping Leeds but has run a half marathon and a ten miler over the same period.

To race so much goes against convention, but John's PB and Mick's best time of the year in Wales is testament to their tough regime. Round Up Thomas and Owen picked for Wales RICHARD Thomas and Russell Owen have been selected to compete for Wales in the International Snowdon Fell Race on July 28.

Richard will run for the 'A' team, while veteran Russell will compete for Wales 'B' as the home international countries take on opposition from Italy, France and Slovenia.

Both men run for the Darwen Dashers club, while Richard also represents Blackburn Harriers on the track. Champ Vanessa VANESSA Peacock is the Chorley 'On the Run' Park Series Champion. She clinched the ladies title when she won the final race last Friday.

All five women to complete the series were in the F45 age group with Janet Pound of Chorley AC second and Chorley Harrier Bernice Greenhalgh third. Blackpool-based Paul Muller won three of four races and is men's champion ahead of Hyndburn's Neil Tattersall who was runner up in the last two races. Red Rose's Will Garner, from Blackburn, was third while Peter Dickenson of Chorley AC was first junior. Honest Darwen DARWEN Dashers sportingly declined the men's team prize at the Leyland 10M after pointing out that new signing Eric Wilson was ineligible.

Andy Smith, with a PB 57:47 and Gary Taylor's 59:15, still helped the team to fourth place.

There was also a PB for Dasher Linda Clarkson, fourth lady in 67:52, and a win in the F50 class for Clayton Harrier Christine Leathley.

Club mate Peter Butterworth was 2nd M45, while Terry Robinson of Accrington RR was 3rd M55. Clayton runs DUE to foot and mouth restrictions, Clayton Tuesday night training in July is from Worsthorne -- not Worston -- (mainly road) and The Royal, Tockholes (off road). The club's Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday 30 August at Nelson Cricket Club at 8pm. Cook's charge EVAN Cook of Blackburn Harriers lost a close tussle with Wesham's Barry Peatfield for M50 honours at the Chorley Night Race 4 miler last Wednesday, but was still the leading East Lancashire runner in 22:17.

Janet Pound was 1st F45 for Chorley AC in 28:07, while Chorley Harrier Bernice Greenhalgh and Blackburn Road Runner Norma Smith were 2nd F45 and F50. Norma steered her team of Liona Riding and French newcomer Hyacinthe Gillot to 3rd in the team standings. What's On RADCLIFFE AC are presenting the Bull Hill Fell Race tonight at 7:15pm. Parking, registration and presentation are all at the Waggon and Horses, Bolton Road West, Hawkshaw.

The race is 5.5 miles long with 830' of ascent. You are advised to arrive in good time as there is a 10 minute walk to the start at Boardmans Farm.

The third race in the Derian House 10K Series is on Saturday at Worden Park, Leyland.

It starts at 11am and is run on tarmac roads and firm cinder woodland trails in the park.

Andy O'Sullivan's races restart following a short break with the Hilton Family Children of Chernobyl 4.3M road race at 7:15pm on Tuesday.

Start is from the Springhill Hospice, Broad Lane, Rochdale (off the A671 Oldham Road).

Race organiser Gareth Hughes has confirmed that the full four mile course will be available for the first time this summer when the Horwich RMI Jubilee Series continues on Wednesday.

The race will be the 70th in the history of the event. Start is Rivington Hall Barn, Horwich at 7:30pm. Race Calendar

Thurs July 12th: Bull Hill 5.5M Fell Race Sat July 14th: Derian House 10K (3) Tues July 17th: Hilton Family 4.3M Road Race (Rochdale) Wed July 18th: Horwich RMI Jubilee 4M Wed July 25th: Chorley Wood End 4M (4) Sun July 29th: Waggon and Horses 10M (Lancaster) Wed August 1st: Chorley 4M Night Race (4), Pendle Hill Challenge Thurs August 2nd: Radcliffe 6.6M Multi-Terrain Sun August 5th: Sale 10M, Chernobyl Challenge 10K (Walton Le Dale), Yorkshire Dales Duathlon and Triathlon, Wed August 8th: Haigh Hall 5M (4), Frank Hodson Saddleworth 6 Sat August 11th: Derian House 10K (4) Sun August 12th: Salford Quays Triathlon, Isle of Man Marathon and Half Marathon, Cliviger Lancs Sports Repairs 6M