THE WILF Richards Cross-Country Relays took place at Heaton Park last Saturday, and Radcliffe AC were represented by two veterans teams and two ladies teams.

In the four lap men's race Radcliffe A were placed 17th overall, and third amongst the vets with Mike Howard's opening lap the third fastest among the vets on the day. The B team were fifth amongst the vets and 23rd overall.

The three lap ladies event saw Radcliffe placed 15th and 16th, with 14-year-old Lyndsay Agg running for the B team storming home in the last leg in just 24 mins 34 secs.

Lap One -- Mike Howard put in a cracking effort to complete the three miles in 17min 45sec, third fastest of all veterans on the day, to put the A team in a good position. Arthur Warren got the other vets team off to a good start with a smooth 20.51. Linda McDonagh and Tanya Kitchen got the ladies teams under way, Tanya edging the B Team ahead with 27.50 to Linda's 27.56. Unlucky Dave Bartlett was odd man out, not because he's slowest but because he was the only male runner who was not a veteran! He ran the first leg in a "class of his own" to record 21.3 1.

Lap Two -- Chris Mycock, who cannot rum too much with his dodgy knees, and trains instead with plenty of gym work, put in a splendid effort to keep the A team in the hunt for a podium position, recording 18.56. John Agg was meanwhile putting in a spirited 20.39, a pleasing performance from a man who is principally a fell-runner. Over-50 runner Eileen Royle got the A team ahead of the B with a steady 25.59, Barbara Allen bringing the ladies second string home in 31.37.

Lap Three -- Adrian Harris, feeling a bit under the weather but still ready to give his all for the cause, managed 18.53 to maintain the A team in contention. Brian Booth brought the other squad home in 21.24. The ladies race was over three laps. Glenda Garry brought the first string home with a decent 27.00, white 14 year old Lyndsay Agg stormed round in 24.34, just too far behind to catch Glenda before the finish came up. The girls finished 15th and 16th among the ladies teams.

Lap Four -- Steve Duckworth took over the mantle. While he enjoyed putting in a time of 18.41 on a perfect day for running (dry, still and just a little chilly) it must have been a little frustrating to think of what he could do in his glory days. Steve's team were 17th overall, and officially third among the veterans' teams. The premier squad had every reason to be proud of their efforts. Bill Armstrong also enjoyed the mainly dry conditions, timed at 21.34 and bringing the B team home as 5th veterans and 23rd overall, to round off a thoroughly enjoyable trip out for Radcliffe AC.