RACE Three in this season's Red Rose XC League at Springfield Park, Rochdale saw many Horwich RMI Harriers turn out and numerous notable performances.

Horwich juniors, Gemma Jones and Katherine Cole both won their races (U20 and U17 respectively) and showed their potential once again on this popular park circuit.

In the Senior Men's race Bolton's Andy Parker pipped Jason Hodgson in his attempt to secure a hat trick of Red Rose victories with these two well ahead of the rest of the field. Horwich men also had to settle for second place in the Senior Men's team category behind Bolton but were victorious in the Men's Vets team with Terry Orrell having a cracking run to lead the Horwich team in style (Orrell, Schofield, Barlow, Jackson).

It was the Horwich RMI Ladies who stole the show as they continued their impressive record over the country with team wins in the overall and vets categories. Jan Rashleigh once more showed her fine form of late with a superb runner-up spot to Anne Powell of Leigh Harriers. Jan was superbly backed up by Sue Jones (fourth) and Gemma Jones (first junior, 5th) taking the team honours over Saddleworth. Sue Webb in seventh sealed the points for the Vet's team. Another top 10 placing for Gaynor Higson saw Horwich place five runners in the top 10. Liz Smart had a fine run (16th) closely followed by Audrey Foster (first vet 50, 17th). Sarah Gorman (20th) and Christine Sweatman (28th) completed the RMI performances.

The RMI Harriers now turn their attention to the next fixture of the SE Lancs League at Fitton Hill, Oldham on November 24 with the final Red Rose fixture on December 15 at Townley Park, Burnley.

A very wet and windy morning greeted competitors in the recent Kendal Duathlon but undeterred, Horwich RMI Harriers pair Sue Jones and Tony Hesketh put in great performances to record victories in their age categories. Tony was first vet 50 and 22nd overall in this two and a half mile run, 20k bike and two and a half mile run event. Sue was not too far behind in 29th place being first Lady 35 and second Lady overall.

The event, won by Rob Jebb of Bingley who broke the course record by nearly five minutes, despite the poor weather conditions, saw 88 competitors tackle two rough runs plus a cycle including a challenging route up towards the Shap summit. Tony Hesketh's time was 1.11.22 (14.16, 41.05 and 16.01) and Sue's 1.12.20 (14.37, 42.00 and 15.43) with the winner's overall time being 1.00.18.

Horwich results

Red Rose XC League Rochdale - Senior Men -- 1 A Parker, Bolton 31.54; 2 J Hodgson, Horwich RMI 31.58; 3 N Kay, 1st JM Bolton 32.43; 10 C Rigby, Horwich RMI 33.50; 14 M Smith, 3rd JM 34.07; 16 T Orrell, 3rd V45 34.09; 18 G Schofield V45, 34.24; 21 S Barlow, 3rd V40 34.32; 22 S Jackson, V45 34.35; 42 B Bolland, 36.39; 45 K Tyrer, V45 37.02; 55 J Robertson, 38.14; 59 P Ramsdale, V40 39.10; 61 M Crook, V50 39.12; 64 P Murray, 1st V60 39.20; 71 P Bland, V50 40.04; 77 K Makin V50 40.43; 81 C Waterworth V45 41.17; 83 I Smith V45 41.42; 84 G Stone, V45 41.46; 86 S Baines, V40 42.26; 89 A Gorman 42.50; 93 A Blinkhorn V50 43.26; 100 F Wood, V55 45.44; 103 B Allman, V45 47.01; 108 A Robinson V70 54.15. Finishers 108.

Senior Men's Teams (six to count) -- 1 Bolton 31 pts; 2 Horwich RMI 76; 3 Rossendale 114.

Senior Men's (Vets) teams (four to count) -- 1 Horwich RMI 24; 2 Rossendale 28; 3 Rochdale 68.

Ladies -- 1 A Powell, Leigh H 21.34; 2 J Rashleigh 1st L40 Horwich RMI 21.58; 4 S Jones, 1st L35 23.28; 5 G Jones ,1st LJ 23.34; 7 S Webb 3rd L40 24.10; 9 G Higson 24.32; 16 L Smart L40 26.30; 17 A Foster 1st L50 26.46; 20 S Gorman, 27.27; 28 C Sweatman L45 31.42. Finishers 29.

Ladies Teams (three to count) -- 1 Horwich RMI 8 pts; 2 Saddleworth 19; 3 Rochdale 47.

Lady Vet Teams (three to count) -- 1 Horwich RMI 7 points; 2 Rochdale 32.

U13 Boys -- 1 S McManus, Bury 9.38; 15 R McNeeley, Horwich RMI 11.08; 30 M Jones 12.10. Finishers 38. U13 Girls -- 1 D Walker, Burnley 10.14; 7 E Rashleigh, Horwich RMI 11.27; 20 A Broad 12.52; 21 N Brownlow 13.08; 23 L Fisher 13.13. Finishers 28. U13 Teams (three to count) -- 1 Burnley 10; 2 Bury 16; 3 Horwich RMI 46.

U15 Boys -- 1 J Kevan, Wigan Harriers 14.11; 7 C Leigh, Horwich RMI 15.24. Finishers 18. U15 Girls -- K Smith, Bolton 15.53; 8 S Kegin, Horwich RMI 18.17; 12 J Broad, 19.20. Finishers 18.

U17 Men -- T Lancashire, Bolton 19.38; 15 M Smith, Horwich RMI 22.53; 19 K Boardman 23.58. Finishers 23. U17 Ladies -- 1 K Cole, Horwich RMI 25.09; 8 L Bibby 31.21; 9 K Bibby 39.59. Finishers 9. U17 Teams (three to count) -- 1 Bury 9; 2 Horwich RMI 18.