On your marks for the Garstang 10k

The popular race saw runners set off from Garstang Community Academy on Sunday morning to tackle an undulating rural course.

A 2km fun run was cancelled due to water on the route but firefighters from Garstang stepped in to clear the worst of it so the 10km race could go ahead.

Organiser Steve Ashcroft said there had been more than a foot of water at one point on the course and it was reduced to just a few inches.

First across the finishing line was Preston Harrier Robert Affleck in 32 minutes, 52 seconds, improving on his third place in last year’s race.

He was followed by Roger Wilkins in 34 minutes three seconds and Liam Craine, from Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde Athletic Club, in 34 minutes 26 seconds.

The first female finisher was Hannah Oldroyd, from UK Netrunners, in 38 minutes, five seconds, with Vicky Bryant, from Wigan Phoenix, in second place in 40 minutes, 36 seconds and Ambleside Athletic Club’s Lou Roberts in third in 41 minutes, 34 seconds.

One man set off early and walked the course to continue his participation in all 25 annual races.

Steve said: “It was a great day. There was a great atmosphere and a lot of people have said what a good time they had.”

The race was raising money for the Pitch In’ campaign to help in achieving the school’s £50,000 target towards their new state-of-the-art all-weather multi-sports pitch.