VETERAN runner Graham Green is officially the best over 50s 5km runner in the country.

The Warrington Athletics Club member finished 24th at the Sale Sizzler 5km road race, but his time of 15mins 53secs means he was the first over 50s athlete home.

The result lifted Green the top of the UK rankings in his age group.

Meanwhile, clubmate Steve Watmough has been in Denmark competing at the European Masters Championships.

He took part in two races in Aarhus, finishing 12th in the 5000m before coming even closer to a medal in the half marathon.

Watmough finished sixth in a time of 1hr 20mins 12secs, just 40 seconds behind the bronze medallist.

Two more of the club’s veterans, Tony McCarthy and Mervyn Ward, took part in the Blackpool Air Show 10km race, which also incorporated the Northern Masters Championships.

McCarthy finished 19th in 38mins 59secs to take third place in the over 55s age group, while Ward was second for the over 60s after coming home 25th in 40mins 6secs.

Retired firefighter Dave Gill travelled to Bradford on Sunday for the Firefighters 5-mile road race.

His time of 32mins 25secs was enough for him to claim third place in the over 55s age group and 19th place overall.

APPLETON’S Dan Harbidge won the North West Sprint Triathlon in Nantwich on Sunday and two of his Warrington Triathlon Club teammates finished in the top 10.

Harbidge came home in 1hr 24secs, while Jonathon Britton finished eighth in 1hr 4mins 55secs with Mike Douglas one place behind him in 1hr 5mins 31secs.

Dan’s father Paul also took part, finishing 25th while Paul Lewis came home 56th.