Liz Proctor and Oriel Hardman were on form for Bolton Harriers on Saturday, winning their age categories in the Red Rose Cross Country League at Leverhulme Park. Proctor works abroad for much of the year as an outdoor-pursuits instructor, but returned to action finishing 4th overall in the women’s race and first Over 35. She was followed home by teenage 800m star Oriel Hardman, who was 6th overall and first Under 20 finisher.

The home challenge got off to a good start with a third place finish for Liam Doherty in the Under 11 boys’ race, followed by a runners-up spot for the Under 11 girls’ team. Led home by Cerys Jones in 6th, Harriers had another tremendous turnout in this age group, filling 5 consecutive places between 8th and 12th, with Olivia Kearney and Katie Oakley completing the team.

The Under 13 girls’ team took third, led home again by Leah Peploe in 4th, and backed up by Sinead Bent in 10th and Em Nicholson in 19th. In the Under 15 boys’ race the trio of Simon Walker, Adam Keat and Jack Garmory also took third place. There were also top-ten individual finishes for Mollie Nuttall (7th Under 15) and Danny Johnson (6th Under 17). Fraser Jardine was the leading Harriers athlete in the senior race, finishing 23rd overall and second in the Under 20 category.

In the Red Rose League, Leah Peploe was Harriers' star on the day, winning the Under 13 race in the opening fixture at Witton Park, Blackburn. Bethany Heaton was also in impressive form, taking third in the Under 11 event and leading her club to 2nd in the team race behind Rossendale. Fraser Jardine was 3rd in the Junior Men's race and top ten positions were also recorded by Mollie Nuttall and Simon Walker in the Under 15s, Katrina Steel (U/13) and Zak Heywood in the Under 17 race. John Ward was 3rd in the Over 55 veteran category.