BOLTON'S number one club runner Tom Carson has moved back to Bolton United Harriers from Horwich RMI Harriers.

It is the third time the 22-year-old, who holds a string of regional titles on the road and cross country, has switched between the town's two premier athletics clubs.

He says he made the decision for athletics reasons as he is concentrating increasingly on triathlon and believes Bolton United Harriers & Athletic Club will help him to improve more.

Carson, who grew up in Horwich and now lives in Bolton, joined Horwich at 12 years old and moved to Bolton UH&AC in his mid-teens.

Two years ago he switched back to Horwich, which is regarded as the top club in the area for fell and road running – events he has focused on and excelled at in recent years.

But now he is moving over increasingly to triathlon and believes the Leverhulme Park-based club gives him the best chance to succeed.

He said: "I am moving into triathlon and at Bolton they do a lot of tri training.

"At the minute I am doing tri as well as running but I am looking to maybe move into tri full time in the future depending on how it goes."

Carson has now fully recovered from a collision he had with a car while on his bike five weeks ago after which he had injury problems, particularly to his hamstring.

He has been provided with a replacement bike by new sponsor Rivington Bikes of Chorley after his old one was damaged in the collision.

"I've got to thank Rivington Bikes for getting me back up and running because my bike was a write-off," he said.

He is now injury-free said: "I can run and weight-bear so it's just about getting my fitness back now. It's time and patience."