HOPWOOD Hall, Middleton was the venue for the 81st running of the East Lancashire Cross Country Championships.

Cold conditions welcomed the runners but the rain held off for both senior races.

Horwich RMI Harriers had a good representation with a total of 12 men starting their race and nearly a third of the runners competing in the ladies race. The men's race involved three laps of approximately two and a half miles each with the ladies competing over two laps. The tricky course, which encompassed some of the Hopwood Trail Race route, ran over various surfaces and caused several runners to withdraw at different stages. Two such runners affected were RMI Harriers Terry Orrel and Gordon Stone, with Terry Laing to retire injured on the first lap.

Running brilliantly to record a top 10 finish yet again was Dave Townsend and he was closely followed by Rob and Steve Jackson (19th and 21st respectively). Once again Paul Murray left much younger runners in his wake to finish a superb 66th and 1st vet 60.

In the separate ladies race the RMI Harriers were led by Janet Rashleigh who battled superbly to finish a close second to Lisa Heyes (Salford). Lisa who trains with the Harriers, had a real job fending off the challenge of Janet as both runners matched each other stride for stride. The contest was enthralling and had the spectators gripped from start to finish. No doubt Janet will aim to get the better of Lisa next time as she continues to have a terrific XC season and is pleased with her general level of fitness and performance. Audrey Foster was first lady vet 50 and once more a great example to her fellow Harriers.

All the Harriers competed well and had there been a ladies team award the RMI ladies would certainly have taken the title. The honours for the men went to the vets who finished fourth team and just outside the bronze medal position.

Results

East Lancs XC Championships Senior Men -- 1 S Bailey, Sale Harriers 42.32; 2 A Jones, East Cheshire 42.35; 3 T Taylor, Salford Harriers 43.55; 9 D Townsend, Horwich RMI 45.51; 19 R Jackson, 47.14; 21 S Jackson, 2nd V45, 47.53; 26 S Barlow, 3rd V40, 48.22; 66 P Murray, 1st V60, 55.06; 75 A Sweatman, V50, 57.32; 82 A Gorman 58.58; 83 S Baines V40, 59.02; 101 P Scott, V55, 1.04.02; 102 B Allman, V45, 1.04.29; 105 G Stone, V45, 1.05.51. Finishers 110.

Men's Teams (six to count) -- 1 Salford Harriers 41; 6 Horwich RMI 271.

Men's Vets Teams (four to count) -- 1 Salford Harriers 32; 4 Horwich RMI 77.

Senior Ladies -- 1 L Heyes, Salford Harriers, 38.47; 2 J Rashleigh, 1st L40, Horwich RMI 38.53; 6 A Foster, 1st L50, 47.26; 7 N Guffog, 48.13; 10 S Gorman, 49.27. Finishers 13.