Haigh Hall Road Relays at Aspull

Bury Athletics Club

THE natural beauty of Haigh Hall Country Park is an ideal location for a traffic free road relay.

Running on tarmac paths throughout, the course starts at the hall and the 3.25 mile loop presents a tough challenge for each of the four runners in the team.

The view from the hall, at the top of the course, is exceptional, but for the runners there is a tough climb all the way back.

Add to that the strong gusts of wind, and heavy rain showers, with perhaps the occasional fallen branch to avoid, and the tough course just got tougher.

The club put one mens team out and they were probably the fastest four senior men at the moment.

Neil Coe stormed through the first leg in 19.48, and a well earned ninth position amongst the 31 starting teams.

So now the pressure was all on David Archer on second leg. David has been running well this winter, and that strength coupled with his consistent speed work on training nights, produced a top class performance.

David fought hard every pace, as he attacked the hill, and he was able to hand over to Pete Bates in 14th place with the fast time of 21.32.

Pete, always the longer distance performer, gave a good account of himself with a time of 22.11 before the glory leg was left to Dave Cole.

Dave had suffered from a cold earlier in the week but was never going to miss this relay. His time of 21.19 was fast enough to keep the club just ahead of a fast finishing Rochdale team, and 19th position.

Salford's team were never headed as they won by some two minutes from Bingley, with Wigan Phoenix third.

GM SCHOOLS'

ATHLETIC ASSOC

CROSS COUNTRY

CHAMPIONSHIP

Tomorrow (Saturday) Chesham fields is the venue for this primary schools' championship.

It is being held in the borough for the first time in many years and Bury Athletic Club are organising the event on behalf of BJSSA.

The girls' race is at 11am with the boys' event 20 minutes later.

The Bury teams will consist of up to 16 boys and 16 girls who have been selected from their performances in the two BJSSA cross country events already held.

Over recent years, the team has been gradually improving and there are several outstanding runners in both teams.

Both the races will have experienced runners as hares. Alix McDermott for the girls and Ross Little for the boys.

Both are outstanding members of Bury Athletic Club, and have competed in this championship before.