A RECORD entry of nearly 400 runners took advantage of a break in the blizzards to race 10 kilometres around the scenic Ribble Valley on New Year's Eve.

The sunny and still conditions were conducive to fast times, and a high class field didn't disappoint with some top drawer performances.

The ladies race boasted three internationals, so Amanda Parkinson's victory was hard earned.

It took a time of 33:43 to defeat last year's winner Pauline Powell of Blackburn Harriers, a result which placed her sixteenth overall.

Amanda started her career at Hyndburn Athletic Club before moving to Sale, and still lives locally.

She returned to international duty on the track last year after the birth of her son and is concentrating on cross country this winter.

Pauline ran thirty seconds faster than last year to score a notable victory over Lucy Wright from Leeds City.

Both are cross country internationals, and Lucy has competed at the World and European Championships.

From the gun, Pendle's Ethiopian Getu Assefa and Bolton based Paul Freary broke away from the pack.

One of the chasers Nev Rickard said :"I covered the first mile in 5:05, but they had gone. I wouldn't like to guess how fast they were travelling." The pair raced shoulder to shoulder all the way before Freary inched home with a two second margin in 31:07.

Blackpool's 17-year-old Anthony Ford was 4th in 32:04, and Blackburn Harrier's young star Ben Fish helped the organising club to team honours.

Ben in 6th place combined with Loughborough student Nick Samuels 11th, and Evan Cook 13th.

Evan was the M50 winner, while just ahead, Roger Brewster of Clayton won his personal battle with County Champion Paul Muller for the M40 title.

Roger finished 9th and Paul 10th with 14th placed Andrew Taylor from Clayton taking third. Darwener Don Ashton beat Ted Orrell of Clayton and Accrington Road Runner Brian Scully in the over 60 age group, and in the over 55's John McDonald of Chorley Harriers was 2nd with Clayton Harrier Ben Brown 3rd.

Clayton were confirmed as the top ladies team after Kath Wallis, Bev McWade and Carole Life all finished in the top twenty.

Over 40 Kath was one of three Clayton ladies to finish second in their age groups along with L50 Christine Leathley and L55 Val Lawson. Bernice Greenhalgh of Chorley Harriers took the L45 class, in her home town Jennifer Adams was first L50, and Val Robinson of Accrington was the L55 winner.

For full results see todays' Lancashire Evening Telegraph