RON Hill may be a world record breaking runner but he was nearly caught in the blocks at his own birthday race.

Hill, who won Common-wealth Games and Euro-pean Championship gold medals in the marathon during a glittering career, was late for the 5k race to celebrate his 72nd birth-day.

“It was my birthday race and I nearly missed it,” said Accrington-born Hill who held world records over four distan-ces. “But in my defence, the start was brought forward a bit because there were concerns about the fading light.”

Andy Norman of Altrincham and District AC may have crossed the line first on the Littleborough course in 15mins 34 secs but Hill was the real winner “There was another great turn-out and that was because Ron is so popular,” said race organiser Andy O’Sulliv-an. “He signed race numbers and posed for photographs, so he was the real winner but I am just happy he turned up!”

As always with O’Sulli-van races, charity was the winner as well with Rochdale Stroke Club, Children of Chernobyl, McMillan Nurses and a Malawi Orphanage all receiving donations.

Results (Top 10) - Andy Norman Altrincham AC 15.34, 2 Anthony Valentine Bolton United Harriers 15.51, Gavin Hill E Cheshire & Tameside 16.04, 4 Ben Crowther Halifax Harriers 16.24, 5 Mike Deegan Salford Harriers 16.31, 6 Jon Wright Tod Harriers 16.36, 7 Michael Flatley Middleton Harriers 16.48, 8 J Boomsand Salford Harriers 16.54, 9 Keith Johnston Chorley Harriers 16.57, 10 Damian Cole Halifax Harriers 17.13, 221 Ron Hill (left) Clayton Harriers 25.58