A field of 183 competitors, the largest for 10 years, lined-up to tackle the three hills ever-increasing in height – a total of 1,100 feet of climbing and six miles in distance.

Clayton Harriers provided over a third of the field and over a quarter of the competitors were people not belonging to an athletic club, mostly local and having a go for fun.

Almost three-quarters of the competitors were 40 years of age or older, perhaps a sad reflection on what has happened to sport in the younger community.

Last year's winner, Tom Cornthwaite of Blackburn Harriers, won again.

However, whereas in 2007 he had more than two minutes clear distance, on this occasion it was just two seconds, with Richard Burney of Liverpool Harriers in second place.

Cornthwaite was almost a minute down on last year's time, mainly due to the difficult conditions, indeed most runners were significantly slower this year.

In third place was Lee Passco, also of Blackburn, and indeed it was the Blackburn team who packed well to take the team prize, with their next counter, Scott Monk in fifth place.

Clayton took the first three veterans places with Mark Aspinall, Mike Wallis, and Ian Greenwood.

The first and second juniors were Jack Dugdale and Daniel Ashworth, both of Clayton.

The first Lady was Katie Trickett of Pendle Athletic Club just over a minute ahead of her nearest rival Anna Kelly of Clayton, who was the first veteran amongst the ladies.

The Clayton ladies ran away with the team prize.

The race was the first in the Grand Prix – a series of eleven races throughout the summer around East Lancashire – which continues tonight with the Pinhaw Fell Race in Earby. which starts from Red Lion Street at 7 p.m.