THE Horwich RMI Harriers Jubilee Series got off to a tremendous start last Wednesday when a near record field of 246 runners toed the start line.

Paul Massey had a great run to finish fifth and first RMI Harrier. RMI Harrier category winners were Matthew Smith (1st U18), Jenny Abbott (1st LJ), Sue Jones (1st L35) and Audrey Foster (1st L50).

The next Jubilee race will be on June 19, registering at The Rivington Bowling Club, starting at 7.30pm.

In the second Central Lancs Grand Prix event, the Haigh Hall Five Mile Road Race, the Horwich RMI Harrier men once again ran away with the team award.

Horwich had six runners in the top ten, including winner Jason Hodgson and runner-up Adrian Selby.

Paul Muller was fifth (1st V45), and James Logue came sixth.

The ladies were again shown the way by Gaynor Higson, who ran well to finish sixth lady and 1st L35. Sarah Gorman and Jenny Abbott helped them to finish runners up behind Wigan Phoenix.

Just a day later Paul Muller again demonstrated why he is one of the top vet 45 runners in the NW.

He finished second overall, first vet by over three minutes, in the Radcliffe five Mile Trail Race. Close behind him in third was team mate Rob Jackson having a great run.

The 4.5 mile Winter Hill Fell Race saw 17 Harrier men and two ladies tackle this popular but tough event.

First Horwich runner home was Kev Gaskell in an excellent 10th place (2nd V40) with super vet Tony Hesketh right on his heels in 11th (1st V50).

Horwich's first lady was Mary White in 83rd who won the L50 category.

In the junior races, Robert Green and Matthew Smith impressed.

Results

HORWICH RMI Harriers Jubilee Series(Race One): 1 B Fish JM (Blackburn H) 19.30; 5 P Massey 20.40; 18 C Heys 21.38; 20 I Hamer (V40) 21.48; 21 S Jackson (3rd V45) 21.51; 24 M Kay 21.59; 33 T Hesketh (2nd V50) 22.33;

34 M Smith (1st MU18) 22.33; 38 P Boardman (V40) 22.41; 39 D Chambers 22.43; 49 M Davies 22.55; 50 G Kay 22.58; 52 A Sunter (V40) 23.02; 55 A Gorman 23.09; 65 B Ingalong 23.46; 68 T Varley (V50) 23.48; 78 S Jones (1st L35) 24.07; 81 M Crook (V50) 24.15.

Mens Teams (four to count): 1 Wigan P 24; 2 Horwich RMI 64

Ladies Teams (three to count): 1 Wigan P 16; 2 Horwich RMI 21

Haigh Hall Five Mile Road Race: 1 J Hodgson Horwich RMI 25.23; 2 A Selby 25.36; 5 P Muller (1st V45) 25.59; 6 J Logue 26.05; 7 N Clementson (1st V40) 26.14; 10 D Townsend 26.28; 32 S Jackson (V45) 28.40; 36 C Heys 28.58; 37 A Sunter (V40) 28.59; 42 T Orrell (V45) 29.11; 43 T Hesketh (2nd V50) 29.13; 49 P Boardman (V40) 29.30; 57 A Gorman 29.59; 64 G Kay 30.28; 77 P Bland (V50) 31.33; 91 A Sweatman (V50) 32.46; 100 P Ramsdale (V40) 33.37.

Mens Teams (4 to count): 1 Horwich RMI 14; 2 Wigan P 26

Ladies: 1 J Raffell (Wigan P) 29.27; 6 G Higson (1st L35) 33.05; 12 S Gorman 35.02; 15 J Abbott (1st LJ) 35.33; 18 L Townsend 36.29; 32 C Sweatman (3rd L45) 40.35

Ladies Teams (Three to count): 1 Wigan P 8; 2 Horwich RMI 31

Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race

1 M Buckingham U18 Holmfirth 32.47; 10 K Gaskell (2nd V40) 35.56; 11 T Hesketh (1st V50) 36.10; 13 A Sunter (3rd V40) 36.30; 15 M Seddon (V40) 37.16; 17 M Kay 37.28; 23 I Hamer (V40) 38.11; 36 P Leighton 40.55; 40 P Houghton 41.21; 45 K Boardman (MU18) 41.47; 48 M Crook (V50) 42.04; 58 I Smith (V45) 43.10; 62 C Waterworth (V45) 43.42; 64 P Ramsdale (V40) 43.49; 67 P Watson (V55) 43.59;

Mens Teams (Three to count): 1 Horwich RMI 34

Radcliffe Five Mile Trail Race: 1 K Chapman Salford 26.28; 2 P Muller (1st V45) 26.56;

3 R Jackson 27.09

Witton Four Mile Trail Race: 1 R Burney Chorley H 23.21; 20 Sweatman (1st V50) 29.26; 21 S McVey (3rd V40) 29.31

Finishers 58