RADCLIFFE AC's 2005 road and fell running championship got off to a good start, with the club's runners competing in the 'Cloud 9' Fell Race at Congleton, and the Blackpool 10k.

The 'Cloud 9' saw Mike Howard stamp his authority on the rest of Radcliffe's fell runners with an excellent 36th place, followed home by Donna Allen, who was 7th among the ladies.

The course is just under nine miles long and has 800 feet of climb - Mike did it in 66 minutes, Donna in 72.43. Steve Hamer managed 75.27, Brian Booth's steady effort brought him in with a timing of 77.35, which did not disappoint the over-50, and then Gerry Dewhurst made her mark with 79.38, another good effort from a girl who's in form.

John Young had a crack at running a fell race and coped well, the over-55 being timed in at 80.19.

Mark Emmett's 81.05 secured 167th place among the 279 finishers.

Considering that there are no fun runners in fell races, Radcliffe's runners made a good impression on the event.

It was Andy Mullarkey's day at the Blackpool 10k, as he came home 9th in the race with a decent time of 35.59, a really good effort to challenge for the club's senior championship.

Current champ David Bartlett fought hard to maintain position, narrowly holding off Tony Davies, who's over 45, in 39.12 for 22nd place, just 8 seconds ahead of his club mate.

Steve Hamer got 48th place to maintain a challenge to Tony in the over-45's section, Mark Emmett pushing on for 55th to ensure that Radcliffe's over-45 road championship will be a competitive one this year.

John Young had a decent run, the over-55 managing 44.18, and Sarah Massey was really pleased not only to survive the run but to put in a good effort, finishing 76th of the 281 finishers in 45.02, to set herself up as first among Radcliffe's ladies in this road running season.

Radcliffe AC's latest trip to the seaside proved to be an enjoyable one.