Olymppic legend Ron Hill was a surprise entrant at this years annual Accrington Road Runners race.

The Accrington-born long-distance runner and gold medal winner joined with more than 260 entrants for the race around Hyndburn.

It was the first time the former Springhill and Accrington Grammar School pupil had competed in the race and did so having just turned 75 last month.

Runners from across the North West competed in the 28th annual race along with people from as far as Basildon and Guernsey.

Race director Ian Tomlinson said it was a success despite the poor weather.

He said: “It went pretty well but I think the weather did prevent a few people turning up. The numbers were 62 up on last year which was good and on target for what we wanted.

“Ron Hill called me up completely out of the blue on the Thursday before the race and we decided to give him a free entry because of his Freedom of the Borough.

“It's the first time he's ever ran it and we are hoping in two years time, when it's our 30th anniversary, that either he will open it or run it.

“He found it tough but he was 75 years old last month. To run at that sort of pace at 75 is phenomenal.”

Border Harriers runner Jon Fletcher won the event and just ahead of Matthew Lalor from Blackburn harriers who was only 14 seconds behind.

Nick Gaskell, who owns Gaskell Motor Bodies in Great Harwood and helped sponsor the race, was the fastest local runner home finishing in 8th position.