PAUL Massey made an impressive return to racing as he won the 15th Annual Roddlesworth Roller Race.

The competitors for the daunting six mile multi-terrain event, over the shale tracks of Roddlesworth and the roads of Tockholes, were greeted by a fine breezy day.

Paul breezed through the opposition winning in 33.28, with Bolton's Tim Ellis the only athlete to finish anywhere near him, but still some 15 seconds adrift.

Brother Dave Massey was Horwich's next finisher in 16th (third vet over 40) in a time of 37.44.

Road Captain Pete Bland had to stop during the race but still came 48th (third V55) in 43.46.

Linda Leyland also made a welcome return to racing taking the First Lady over 40 prize in 55th (44.52). Marianne Claughan continued her good form, finishing 102nd out of 137 in 52.29.

The previous day the Harriers ladies and mens teams both finished a creditable fourth place in the team standings in the Haigh Hall Relays (4 x 3.75 miles).

Adrian Selby got the men off to a terrific start finishing second on Leg 1 (18.06) - the fourth fastest leg of the day. Nigel Clementson had a great run of 18.35 on Leg 2 to keep the team in second place. Dave Townsend and Steve Barlow both ran the ninth fastest times on Legs 3 and 4 (19.10 and 19.50 respectively) as the team finished a well deserved fourth overall out of 34 teams.

Sarah Gorman got the ladies off to a good start as she came sixth out of 12 runners on Leg 1 (23.42).

Nicola Guffogg ran the fifth fastest time on Leg 2 in 24.16 and handed on to super vet Audrey Foster who ran the fourth fastest time on Leg 3 (24.31).

Bringing the team home in fourth place overall was Jenny Abbott on Leg 4 in a time of 24.35.

The Harriers' Men's B team (Hallahan, Makin, Allman and P Ramsdale) finished 28th, and the Harriers' Lady Vets team (Wakefield, Maleney, Hesketh and Cook) finished ninth team out of 11.

The previous weekend Paul Murray and Edwin Coope were members of the winning vets team of four in the challenging High Peak Marathon (Derwent Watershed).

Their Rucksack Club vets team finished in 12hrs 46mins. This is one of the toughest events in the calendar, covering 42 miles (5400ft of climbing), and runs through the night.

The same weekend Neil Wrigley finished an excellent fourth place (second O/40) in the Milford 21 mile Multi-terrain Race, near Stafford.

Tony Hesketh was a fine 21st, with Cath Maleney and Brenda Hesketh finishing together in 143rd and 144th respectively. All four Harriers did really well despite missing the start time by over four minutes.

RESULTS:

Haigh Hall Relays:

Leg 1: Men's A 2. A Selby 18.06; Men's B 21. A Hallahan 20.25; Ladies 6. S Gorman 23.42; Lady Vets 8. D Wakefield 24.26.

Leg 2: A 2. N Clementson 18.35; B 27. K Makin 23.00; L 7. N Guffogg 24.16; LV 8. C Maleney 26.18.

Leg 3: A 3. D Townsend 19.10; B 28. B Allman 23.32; L 5. A Foster 24.31; LV 9. B Hesketh 26.51.

Leg 4: A 4. S Barlow 19.50; B 28. P Ramsdale 23.12; L 4. J Abbott 24.35; LV 9. S Cook 28.55.

Teams: 4. Horwich Men's A 1.15.41; 28. Men's B 1.30.09; 4. Horwich Ladies 1.37.04; 9. Horwich Lady Vets 1.46.30.

Milford 21: 1. P Rogers (Tipton) 2.11.22; 6. N Wrigley 2nd V40 2.14.08; 21. T Hesketh V50 2.30.38; 143. C Maleney L40 3.21.35; 144. B Hesketh L45 3.21.35. Finishers: 168.