THE annual Rivington Pike Fell Race consisting of 3.25 miles and a 700ft climb was blessed with a fine day and an excellent field of over 200 runners.

Leading the way for Horwich RMI Harriers was Rob Jackson, running in his 19th consecutive Pike Race and finishing in eighth place.

With Chris Heys coming in 11th and Brendan Bolland following in 12th Horwich easily won the men's team prize.

Similarly, the Horwich ladies won their team category in style, with the team comprising of Jan Rashleigh, first Harrier and first over 40, coming in 60th, Rachel Thompson, first junior, in 70th, and Audrey Foster,first over 50, in 114th.

Other Horwich category winners included Pete Bland (first V55), Alan Robinson (first over 75), Christine Sweatman (first over 45) and Lola Smal (first over 65).

Both the Horwich men's and ladies vets teams won their categories making it a clean sweep for the home teams. Dave Massey, Kev Gaskell and Phil Dewhurst for the men, and Jan Rashleigh, Audrey Foster and Lyn Threadgold for the ladies.

Race organiser Keith Makin was delighted with the way the race went and praised all the helpers for their terrific effort.

A special mention must go to Horwich RMI Harrier Tony Nolan, who, despite a long-term health problem, managed to complete the course in 4 hrs 40mins.

On Good friday, Adrian Selby put in a great performance in the Salford 10K road race, finishing sixth in a time of 32.01. The winner was Salford's Billy Burns in 29.57 who went on to win the Pike Race the next day.

Paul Muller recorded two more race victories over the Easter weekend. He won the Caldervale Country 10mile road race on Good Friday in 55.17, and the Lancaster Three Bridges 10K trail race on Easter Sunday in a new course record of 33.15.

Rivington Pike Fell Race: 1. B.Burns (Salford) 17.12; 8. R.Jackson 19.15; 11. C.Heys 19.27; 12. B.Bolland 19.30; 18. D.Massey 2nd V40 20.26; 19. K.Gaskell 3rd V40 20.40; 22. P.Dewhurst V40 20.51; 26. T.Hesketh 2nd V50 21.08; 28. P.Boardman V40 21.37; 60. J.Rasleigh 1st L40 23.09; 66. P.Ramsdale V45 23.34; 70. R.Thompson 1st LJ 23.44; 73. P.Bland 1st V55 24.03; 75. J.Foulds V40 24.12; 76. M.Crook 3rd V55 24.14; 90. A.Sweatman V50 24.49; 94. I.Smith V50 24.58; 99. B.Allman V45 25.14; 114. A.Foster 1st L50 25.57; 117. S.Baines V40 26.02; 127. E.Swift V55 26.47; 129. P.Scott V55 26.52; 130. L.Pinnell 26.57; 140. L.Threadgold 3rd L35 27.25; 154. T.Gidman V55 28.37; 168. C.Sweatman 1st L45 29.31; 183. J.Coope V65 30.53; 193. C.Bradley L 31.38; 196. A.Robinson 1st V75 31.51; 211. G.Harrison V60 34.25; 217. L.Small 1st L65 37.19; 220. T.Nolan V40 4.40. Finishers 220.

Men's Teams: 1. Horwich 28; 2. Bolton 43.

Men's Vets: 1. Horwich 9; 2. Pennine FR 15.

Ladies Teams: 1. Horwich 9; 2. Chorley H 22.

Lady Vets (3): 1. Horwich 8; 2. Chorley H 13.

Salford 10K: 1. B.Burns (Salford) 29.57; 6. A.Selby 32.01; 57. T.Mayren V40 38.05; 147. D.Wakefield 2nd L45 42.56. Finishers 332.