The Blackburn Harrier's winning time of 1hr, 08mins, 44secs was four minutes outside Fylde marathon stalwart Ron Hill's benchmark, and Porter know what he is talking about when he tips Fish to assume Hill's mantle.

Hill and Porter are close friends and they completed yesterday's race together at Bush Playing Fields.

Porter told The Gazette: "Ron helped me round the course and gave me a masterclass of running . It was a priceless experience.

"We ran the last nine miles together and finished together. We both agree that Ben has a lot of potential and I think he could break Ron's record."

Fish was almost seven minutes clear of the chasing pack, with three Fylde club runners following him home.

Lytham Road Runners' Nigel Thompson continued his fine season. He was the first veteran home and second overall in 1:15.42, with Blackpool Wyre and Fylde AC's John Wright just six seconds behind in third and Wesham Road Runners' Barry Norman fourth.

The first three women were all Fylde club veterans, with BWF's Beverley Wright leading the way in 1:26.40, some two and a half minutes ahead of Wesham's Joanna Goorney, whose clubmate Carmel Sullivan was third.

Conditions were ideal for the historic event and Porter could not be happier.

He added: "It was absolutely fantastic. We had a maximum field of 700 in April and I reckon we will be full even earlier next year.

"I'm delighted with the turnout. The event is now firmly established firmly on the national map."