PAUL THOMPSON of Blackburn Harriers took an amazing 37 seconds off last year's record time to establish a new record of 14.25 for the challenging 2.25 mile Darwen Tower race at the town's gala.

Last year's winner Brian Cole came home 26 seconds behind Paul and Gary Taylor of Darwen Dashers was third home in 15.30.

First Veteran-40 was John Singleton of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers in the new vet record of 16.03, beating last year's veteran-40 winner John Holland of Preston, by 10 seconds. In the vet-45 category, Alan Appleby of Preston Harriers beating Blackburn's Barry Crewdson by just eight seconds.

In the junior section Matt Huxley, last year's under 16 victor, took 2.37 seconds off his record of last year to post a new record of 16.14 to come in ninth overall out of a field of 34. First vet-50, also in record time was Jimmy Nolan of Blackburn Road Runners.

First female was Jan Holding who was also the first female vet-45, pursued by Bernice Greenhalgh with Sally-Anne Wade third after just 12 months of running.

Maureen Roberts, who had broken her arm only one month earlier, competed even though her doctor told her that she should not drive for three weeks. She said: "He didn't say anything about running."

Milkman Lee Banks didn't finish his round until 1.45pm, so he cycled to the start to avoid traffic, then skimmed two minutes off his best time at 17mins 28secs.

Generous sponsorship from the Embroidery and Screenprint Centre (ESC) meant that this race had the unique distinction of all 34 competitors receiving a prize.

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