RUNNERS from all over the North West rallied around the cause when Andy O'Sullivan held his fund raiser for the British Olympic Appeal last week. The hundred and thirty athletes, who were flagged away by the 1960 high jump silver medallist Dorothy Shirley, raised over £500 to help send our athletes to Sydney. One Olympian even ran in the 4.3 mile road race -- the ever popular Ron Hill who rolled back the years to finish second in the over sixty age group. Two of Ron's Clayton team mates, Peter Butterworth and Tina Lewis were the top East Lancashire runners, and each were age group winners. Peter in 10th was 1st M45, while Tina, the 4th lady was 1st L35. West Pennine Runners also fielded a class winner, Bernice Greenhalgh who ran the course with her sister Sheila Fogg.

The final British Olympic Appeal event is a Sports Persons Dinner to be held at Queen Elizabeth's Hall, Oldham on Friday 4th August. Further details are available from organiser Jim Moseley on 0411--505013.

Olympic Appeal Race Rochdale: 1 John Brown (Salford) 21:40, 10 (1st M45) Peter Butterworth (C) 24:41, 23 Alan Clarkson (C) 26:10, 24 Keith Parkinson (T) 26:13, 26 (1st Lady) Julie Cook (Salford) 26:17, 29 Dean Hebden (R) 26:26, 41 Robert Russell (C) 27:36, 45 Paul Laurence (DD) 28:16, 55 Andy McAllister (BRR) 29:07, 66 (1st L35) Tina Lewis (C) 30:02, 78 (2nd M60) Ron Hill (C) 31:35, 85 Ronnie Smith (BRR) 32:27, 98 Jim Taylor (DD) 33:33, 123 (1st L40) Bernice Greenhalgh (WP) 39:46, 124 Sheila Fogg (WP) 39:46