John Ashcroft and Laura Hesketh started their long Easter weekend with wins at the Salford 10k on Good Friday morning (March 30).

The popular and fast no-frills race at Salford Sports Village attracted a top field of club runners as always selling out in advance and reaching its limit of 750 runners.

Liverpool Harriers John Ashcroft was the clear the men’s title on Friday morning crossing the line in 30:17 for a 16-second win.

Ashcroft, who ran the third fastest long leg at the Northern Road Relays last weekend ran his fastest time over the distance since 2016.

It was a close contest for other podium spots with seconds between the next three runners. Matthew Grieve won the battle for second, with the Border Harriers runner crossing the line in 30:33, one second ahead of Will Mycroft.

Last year’s winner, Marc Brown of host club Salford Harriers, just missed out on the top three in 30:35.

Five men finished under 31 minutes with Vale Royal’s Matthew Sheen dipping under the mark running a personal best 30:58.

Laura Hesketh, who was ninth in last year’s race, powered to victory in the women’s race crossing the line in 34:38 for an eight-second win.

It’s been a fast seven days for the Clayton-le-moors Harrier ran the second fastest time at UK parkruns last weekend.

Taking the runner-up spot was Georgia Malir in 34:46. The Leeds City runner ran the sixth fastest short leg at the Northern Road Relays last Sunday.

Completing the podium was 2017’s runner-up Danielle Fegan in 35:11. The Sale Harrier equalled her personal best time which she also ran last year in Salford.

Rotherham’s Samantha Hughes was fourth in her first competitive race over the distance in 35:40.

Top 10 men

1) John Ashcroft (Liverpool Harriers & AC) 30:17
2) Matthew Grieve (Border Harriers & AC) 30:33
3) Will Mycroft (Enfield and Haringey AC) 30:34
4) Marc Brown (Salford Harriers & AC) 30:35
5) Matthew Sheen (Vale Royal AC) 30:58
6) Robert Danson (Wesham Road Runners & AC) 31:06
7) Michael Tanner (Birchfield Harriers) 31:09
8) Michael Hoyle (Leeds City AC) 31:11
9) Daniel Kestrel (Rotherham Harriers) 31:19
10) Russell (Bentley Kent AC) 32:00

Top 10 women

1) Laura Hesketh (Clayton-le-Moors Harriers) 34:38
2) Georgia Malir (Leeds City AC) 34:46
3) Danielle Fegan (Sale Harriers Manchester) 35:11
4) Samantha Hughes (Rotherham Harriers) 35:40
5) Fiona Davies (Rotherham Harriers) 36:12
6) Becky Briggs (City of Hull AC) 36:50
7) Zara Knappy (Rotherham Harriers) 36:51
8) Charlotte Wills (Leeds City AC) 36:55
9) Sarah Howard (Liverpool Harriers & AC) 37:18
10) Sarah Louise Cumber (Halifax Harriers & AC) 37:36

Full results can be found here.