Horwich RMI Harriers proved they mean business at the second of this year's SE Lancs XC League races, writes Gareth Hughes.

They secured team placings of first lady vet 35, lady vet 40, second senior ladies, male vet 40 and male vet 50 and third senior men's team.

Jan Rashleigh showed what a superb athlete she is placing second overall and first vet. Horwich's second lady was the ever improving Gaynor Higson in 13th place with Julie Harold and Linda Leyland battling all the way in 18th and 19th separated only by three seconds.

In the senior men's race Dave Townsend was first RMI Harrier home for the second SEL race in a row with Graham Schofield running well to finish not far behind.

Junior Mark Smith put in another good effort, finishing a great overall 19th place. Terry Orrell and Steve Barlow had a tremendous tussle, only separated by one place and one second in 23rd and 24th respectively. Notable performances in the junior contingent were Christine Boardman's second U20 and Matthew Smith fourth U17.The Harriers will again be in action today in the Rochdale fixture of the Red Rose league.

HORWICH RMI Harrier Alex McVey again showed his team mates the way in the Nike Through the Villages Race (8.5 mile). Alex came first junior and third overall in this tough hilly road race.

Alex finished just ahead of last year's winner Paul Muller with Bolton's David Shaw and his team mate Rob Jackson not far behind. Linda Leyland again ran well and finished second L40.

SNOWDONIA Marathon 2001 and four Horwich RMI Harriers competed in the gruelling event. With just over 26 miles, this toughest of races, is enough to give all competitors a serious challenge. Despite a lack of fell opportunities this year all four RMI Harriers performed well and finished the race, together with over 500 runners. First Harrier to finish was Paul Boardman (V40) in 3.51.56 followed closely by Tony Varley (V50) 3.52.53. Eddie Swift (V55) in 4.06.04 and Steve Bains (V40) in 4.23.35 were the other two Harriers to complete this superb event.