Rick Hayman has become the scourge of East Lancashire's best road runners in the last couple of years and he was up to his old tricks on Sunday at the Winter Warmer 10K hosted by Blackburn Road Runners at Witton Park.

The Sale Harrier was the only man to prevent Blackburn Harrier Paul Guinan winning on home territory despite a top class run.

Hayman broke the tape in 33:24, Guinan clocked 33:58 and third placed Steve Littler from Wesham Road Runners took 34:19 on a wickedly hilly circuit where nobody else could crack 35 minutes.

The last time Hayman won at Blackburn he was a student at Crewe, but now having completed his masters' degree he is living at Euxton near Chorley.

Run of the day, not for the first time in recent weeks, was from Clayton Harrier Peter Butterworth, sixth in 36:04.

The winning over 50 was also ahead of the over 40 and over 45 winners.

Club mate Graham Cunliffe was the first M45 with 15th in 37:44 and the consistent Joe Swarbrick from Red Rose Road Runners took 17th and second M50 in 38:02.

Clayton's over 70 veteran Lawrence Chew won his class in 51:03.

Blackburn Harriers had a strong entry and were rewarded with three in the top ten, Guinan being backed by Jon Bridge 8th in 36:56 and tenth placed Mark Almond with 37:22. Unfortunately for them Wesham also packed three in the first ten and pipped Blackburn to the team title.

The all veteran squad of Butterworth, Cunliffe and John Singleton gave Clayton third.

Amy Green, well known locally for winning the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix in 2004, was first woman in 38:13 representing the Keighley and Craven club.

In form Carmen Anthony, the Belle Vue Racer from Darwen pushed her all the way though returning an excellent 38:50.

More than 300 finished the race and the pair mixed it with the better men to place 19th and 26th overall.

Rachel Wood underlined her promise by once again winning the junior race with a one minute improvement to 43:29 from last summer's race.

Helped by a personal best 47:26 from Ruth Greenhalgh, Chorley Harriers took the team title. Chorley Athletic Club's Janet Pound won the over 50s and the amazing Lou Gilchrist from Wardle completed in 51:39 at the age of 73.