Horwich RMI Harriers Men's team finished in their highest ever position in last Saturday's National 12 Stage Road Relay Championships held in Birmingham.

Having qualified to compete in these prestigious championships, coming in the top 25 teams in the North earlier in April, the team performed brilliantly to finish 22nd in the country.

They beat many larger clubs, including the likes of Liverpool, and were indeed only beaten by two other teams from the NW region.

The relay, run over alternate short (2.995mile) and long (5.380mile) stages, saw all the Harriers give their all.

Jason Hodgson recorded the club's fastest long stage time, 27.44, and Nigel Clementson the fastest short stage, 15.41.

Team Captain Pete Bland was naturally delighted with everyone's efforts and praised all the men for their fine performances.

Also on Saturday, Steve Barlow represented the England Fell Team in the P&O Knockdhu Classic Fell Race Home Countries International in Northern Ireland. He finished a superb 25th overall -- 6th in the over 40s -- over the tough 4.7mile (1470ft ascent) course.

Rob Jackson won the Richard and Sue Corney five-mile Road and Trail Race at Littleborough in a time of 27.45.

Despite the appalling weather conditions a large group of Horwich RMI Harrier juniors performed splendidly at the Blackley and North Manchester AC Open Track Meeting last Sunday.

Under 15 Kirsty Milner ran a personal best in the 800m of 2mins 26.8secs. In the U11s Lexi Cochrane, Daniel Cooke and Jack Hindley showed their strength by getting high placings in all their races.

In the U13s David Whalley, Lucy Hindley and Katy Milner never came below fourth, while Stephanie Pegg, U17s, and Kelly Bibby, womens, both ran well.

Results --Radcliffe 10K: 1 P.Freary (Belgrave) 32.40; 7 S.Cottom, 35.17; 15 N.Wrigley (3rd V40) 36.10; 16 P.Dewhurst (V40) 36.18; 28 A.Hallahan, 37.40; 56 K.Hutchinson (2nd L35) 40.32; 64 S.Budgett (1st L40) 40.47; 67 D.Wagstaff, 41.08; 78 G.Higson (3rd L35) 41.52; 98 K.Makin (V55) 43.02; 104 P.Bland (V55) 43.21; 117 L.Leyland (L40) 43.59; 122 A.Thompson (V45) 44.08; 124 N.Guffogg (2nd L) 44.16; 126 M.Whitehead (V55) 44.33; 156 L.Smart (2nd L45) 46.38; 169 J.Abbott, 47.09; 195 C.Sweatman (L45) 49.27; 200 C.Maleney (L40) 49.46; 261 J.Thompson (L40) 57.57; 265 M.Holden (L35) 58.33. Finishers 295.

National 12 Stage Road Relays, Short Leg (2.995miles)/Long Leg (5.380miles), Leg 1 -- T.Rowlands (35) 28.26; 2 N.Clementson (34) 15.41, 3 J.Hodgson (22) 27.44; 4 D.Townsend (25) 16.07; 5 M.Jones (27) 29.28; 6 R.Jackson (24) 16.03; 7 P.Muller (23) 28.39; 8 P.Dewhurst (24) 16.43; 9 A.Selby (21) 27.52; 10 M.Bell (21) 16.31; 11 C.Rigby (22) 29.35; 12 A.Neary (22) 16.52. Teams: 1 Belgrave 4.08.55; 22 Horwich 4.29.41. Finishers 57.

Garstang Gallop 10K -- 1 M.Scott (Border H) 33.32; 108 M.Kay, 50.54. Finishers 174.

Chorley Park Series 5K -- 1 N.Tattersall (Pendle) 16.19; 9 D.Massey (1st V40) 18.35; 24 P.Boardman (3rd V40) 19.40. Finishers 89.