CLAYTON-LE-MOORS Harriers attracted a star-studded field to Saturday's Half Tour of Pendle, but it proved something of a mixed blessing for the club as first prizes in both the men's and women's races went to Yorkshire athletes.

The hosts are ever reliable in the veteran classes though, and the world's top over 50, Maureen Laney, headed a Clayton 1-2-3 in the class with Wendy Dodds and Linda Lord in support.

On a cold and windy but clear day, Laney was third woman behind Holmfirth Harrier Natalie White while Accrington's Debbie Gowans was sixth.

Clayton's veteran men had more of a struggle as Mark Horrocks, now with Wharfedale, triumphed over his old team-mates in the over 40s. Best Harriers were Mike Wallis and Garry Wilkinson in third and fourth.

In the over 50s, Noon Stone winner Jack Holt was first again, but the margin over Rossendale's Derek Schofield was only three seconds as Dale's Ken Taylor took third. Meanwhile Clayton's John Nuttall won the over 60s by a comfortable five minutes.

Outright victory for the second year went to Ian Holmes who justified his billing as the best downhill runner in the world when he made the decisive break on the descent to Ogden Clough in the latter stages.

The leading trio had got away on the initial climb to the summit and increased their advantage to three minutes by the end.

Holmes' Bingley team-mate Rob Jebb won the race for second with Lloyd Taggart of Dark Peak third.

Organiser Keith Thompson doesn't put up a team prize because of the usual Clayton supremacy, but with a Bingley 1-2 and Dark Peak with four in the first ten he admits that a re-think is on the cards.

Clayton's Paul Thompson was the leading local in sixth, just spared a sprint finish after getting away from a group of four in the latter stages. His chasers, including eighth placed Horrocks, were covered by only seven seconds.

After winning the 33-mile Manx Mountain Marathon last Easter, Thompson will be defending his title, but because Easter is early this year he hopes to recover in time to run in his first London Marathon as well.

Meanwhile, Clayton will be staging the first round of the English Junior Fell Championships on Sunday March 20.

Like the Half Tour, the races start at Barley Village Hall and climb Pendle.

There are races for under 10s (non-championship), under 12s, under 14s, under 16s and under 18s with distances appropriate to age.

The event starts at 11.30am, with the final race for under 18s at 1.30pm. Seniors will be allowed to run in the under 18 race which is 4.5 miles and climbs 1400 feet.

Pre-entry is not required as entries will be accepted on the day.