RADCLIFFE Athletics Club's latest trail race saw rising star Michael Aspinall continue his remarkable progress.

East Cheshire's Andrew Jones was too good for the rest of the runners, leading from start to finish andsetting a new fastest time for the course in 68mins 1sec.

But young Aspinall gamely chased the runaway leader with a group including veteran Paul Muller and Horwich's Colin Rigby.

Jones was well clear by the finish and Muller took second in 69.25, a superb veteran's performance.

Aspinall finished in 71.03 for a magnificent personal best to the delight of the home supporters.

Aspinall's father and coach, Manny, had to settle for fifth place in the Over 60s event.

Rigby (71.33), Petch (73.15), Jackson and Selby (73.35 and 75.05) followed in, with Salford's Sean McMyler ninth in 75.05 -- all tremendous scalps for Radcliffe's young star. Tenth, was over-45 Thornton Taylor from Rossendale, another superb performance from a very good veteran who just pipped Salford's excellent over-45, Eric Williams. Frank Reilly of Stockport took the over 55 prize, actually finishing just in front of Don Egan as the Rochdale man won the over-50s section.

East Cheshire's Ron Woolmer took the over-60s and he had to be good to do it as there were six men over 60 running, including Manny Aspinall, Michael's dad and chief coach, although Manny had to settle for fifth among that particular group. Sue Selby emulated husband Adrian's previous win in this race by taking the prize as first lady, not bad for a lady who now admits to being over 40. Sue Jones of Horwich chased as hard as she knew how but Mrs Selby had the fitness and stamina to maintain a hard effort through the tough 12 miles. Third in was Salford's Maria Lowe, a former Radcliffe member. Louise Diggle took the over-45 prize, the West Cheshire lady finishing fifth lady overall. With Rochdale's Pauline Dore taking the over-50s and Christine Navan of Rossendale first over-55. The standard was staying high. Two over-60 ladies ran, the appropriately named Ruth Quick of Ford Halewood AC edging out her clubmate Katherine Wingate.

All in all this trail race was a very successful event for Radcliffe AC, who got about 30 marshals out around the course and still had enough personnel to look after the start and finish and to collate the race results.