AUDREY Foster continued her excellent recent form by taking first place in her category at the Preston 10 Mile Road Race.

Her victory in the over-50 race with a typical gutsy run was made all the more of an achievement as she was suffering from a severe eye problem.

The Horwich athlete last week made her England debut in the Veterans Home International Cross Country Championships in Ballymena, and finished 26th overall in the race.

The Horwich ladies team, second behind winners Salford, were led home by Janet Rashleigh in fifth (first Lady O/40) who also led the two Horwich vets teams (L35 and L40) to victory.

Karen Hutchinson finished an excellent seventh (second L35) out of 206 finishers in last Sunday's City of Salford Women's Five Mile Road Race.

Team-mate Denise Wakefield continued her fine form, finishing 13th (second L45).

Horwich's England international Paul Muller continued to show his class as he finished second in the race after also representing his country last week.

His time of 52.42 was a fantastic effort and was also Horwich's first finisher in last Saturday's SE Lancs Cross Country fixture at Leigh.

Paul's ninth place (first Vet O/40) was a creditable finish as he came just behind the first five men from Salford included England International Jon Brown.

In the first of this seasons GM Sports Hall League fixtures, held at the Dome, Horwich RMI Harrier Juniors recorded some fine performances.

Victories included Chide Onwudike's 50cm Vertical Jump (U11), and Alyce Eccles 2.06m Standing Long Jump (U13).

RESULTS: SE Lancs XC (Leigh): 1. J Brown (Salford) 31.49; 9. P Muller 1st V40 33.27; 22. B Bolland 35.38; 33. A Neary 36.44; 37. A Hallahan 36.55; 42. G Kay 37.31; 54. M Stringfellow 38.38; 79. K Makin 41.37; 93. A Sweatman V50 42.57; 94. B Allman V45 42.58; 100. P Ramsdale V40 43.12; 101. M Crook V50 43.14; 129. G Stone V45 45.55; 139. P Scott V55 48.07. Finishers: 158

Ladies: 1. B Jenkins (Salford) 24.36 5. J Rashleigh 1st L40 25.39; 8. S Budgett 3rd L35 26.19; 15. G Higson L35 27.48; 24. S Gorman 29.28; 26. A Foster 1st L50 29.41; 30. E Smart L40 30.50; 45. C Bradley 32.51; 56. C Sweatman L45 34.24. Finishers 81

Mens Teams (6): 1. Salford 63; 5. Horwich 176. Over 40 (3): 1. Middleton 17; 6. Horwich 77. Over 50 (3): 1. E Cheshire 18; 2. Horwich 38. Ladies Teams (3): 1. Salford 14; 2. Horwich 26. Over 35 (3): 1. Horwich 11; 2. Chorley H 30. Over 40 (3): 1. Horwich 10; 2. E Cheshire 34. City of Salford Five Mile: 1. J Heath (Sale) 29.44; 7. K Hutchinson 2nd L35 34.02; 13. D Wakefield 2nd L45 35.38. Finishers: 206.