James heading

in right direction Horwich RMI Harrier James Logue finished a superb third place overall in the Irish Orienteering Championships held in County Meath last Sunday.

Indeed this excellent performance was the culmination of a busy period which had seen James compete in the World Championships as part of the all-Ireland team.

He had also won selection for the Northern Ireland World Mountain Running team but was unfortunately unable to compete in the World Trophy in Italy due to work commitments.

James' world orienteering exploits date back to 1991, since when he has only missed one championship in 1977 due to injury.

This year's biannual event was staged near Tampere in Finland, the very heart of world orienteering. The week of racing involved some very testing terrain with the very rough ground, lots of marshes, boulders and extremely dense forests.

Indeed, many athletes are truly professional and devote all their time to training. A great deal of sponsorship is received by other countries' top competitors, with an example being the Finnish team all having sponsored cars. James has had to manage without such support and covered his own expenses with only limited assistance. Nevertheless he hopes to continue to do well and aims to participate in the next World championships in Switzerland in 2003.

Like many other Horwich Harriers James is now looking forward to the up and coming cross country season and being able to tackle this with his enthusiastic team mates. For any Harriers who are requiring details of imminent races please contact club cross country captain Keith Makin (692233).

A small group of Horwich RMI Harriers participated in the recent Liverpool International Half Marathon. First Harrier to complete the testing course was super vet Tony Hesketh, finishing second vet 50 and well up in 26th overall.

Jim Leyland had a good run and was next Harrier to come come. Keith Makin and Gaynor Higson both recorded half marathon pb's while Jane Houghton and Linda Glover did well. Mary White competing for charity was the final Harrier to complete this very popular event with over 1500 entrants.

Results: Liverpool International half-marathon -- 1. N. Vendelesalem, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton 1.10.01; 2. N. Borril, Bedford H 1.12.32; 3. A. Deane (V45) Liverpool H 1.12.37; 26. T. Hesketh (2nd V50) Horwich RMI 1.18.27; 141. J. Leyland (V50) 1.29.38; 151. K. Makin (V50) 1.30.02; 162. G. Higson (L) 1.30.42; 337. L. Leyland (L40) 1.37.19; 1357. J. Houghton (L) 2.10.01; 1358. L. Glover (L) 2.10.04; 1382. M. White (L50) 2.12.49.

1598 runners.

Teams (Ladies) three to count -- 1. Penny Lane Striders 965; 2. Liverpool RC 1442; 3. Horwich RMI 1856.