The poor weather for this year's Darwen Gala failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the 60 fell runners who gathered in Bold Venture Park for the Annual Gala Fell Race.

It was the last of the three summer races hosted by Darwen Dashers, and like the other two and the winter-time David Staff Race, it shares that common destination, the Jubilee Tower.

If the Tower didn't exist, the Dashers would probably have built it!

Considering the race is less than four miles long it attracted runners from surprisingly far afield with a contingent from Kimberworth Striders hailing from the Rotherham area.

There was even an Olympian in Jeff Norman who ran the Marathon for Britain at Montreal in 1976.

The Altrincham ace proved that he is still in good shape by winning the over 60 class ahead of the leading over 50s and over 55s.

At the head of the pack, Horwich Harrier Ricky Graham was the first to arrive back in the park crossing the line well clear in 23:18, while Matt Nuttall from Blackburn Harriers was an equally comfortable second in 24:41.

With Mark Almond ninth, Roger Schultz 11th and Mick Blackburn 13th, the Harriers would certainly have won the team award had there been one, while George Bate 8th and Steve Clawson 12th were handily placed for Darwen and Rossendale.

The whole race route is on paths and includes a short loop on Darwen Moor with a second climb before descending directly back into the park.

Although local knowledge is said to be an advantage, Sarah Charnock from the Achille Ratti club was too quick for the local women, but Blackburn's Melanie Taylor in third gave an excellent account of herself to finish third in 33:14, and win the junior class.

Helen Yeoman from Rossendale was second over-40 veteran.