ATHLETICS: Shaun back in grooveAndy McAllister:

After a glittering career on the fells, which saw him represent England for well over a decade, Livesey became bored and took a complete break, racing only two or three times in an 18 month spell.

Eventually he let his Clayton membership lapse, but was coaxed back when the club qualified for the National 12 Stage Relays for the first time in April.

The irony of making a comeback when there is no access to the fells prompted Livesy to make the wry comment: "Maybe it should have been this year I took off."

He admits to finding it hard to concentrate on the road.

However, concentration wasn't a problem in this race though as he had company all the way.

Craig Watson and Phil Taylor played their part as the trio broke away from the field.

For two and a half of the three laps they matched each other stride for stride, but as they increased the pace Watson broke away.

"At one stage I thought Craig would beat me," admitted Livesey.

But instead it was he who made the decisive move with a mile to go.

Watson held second to give Clayton one and two, while Taylor, in third, won the veterans title for Rossendale.

The event was to have been part of the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix, which was suspended this year because of the foot and mouth crisis.

Inevitably entries were down, however, the new race route proved particularly popular with the athletes.

Like the Grand Prix, the field was dominated by Clayton Harriers, who had seven of the first ten runners -- eight if former member Sean Clare is included.

After fourth placed Phil Hall, Ray Lees in fifth won the over-50 class, while Ross Jaques in 20th was first over-60 home.

Red Rose's Richard Packer, from Padiham, was second in the M65 and Todmorden Harrier, Eric Wrathall, completed in 46:13.

Vanessa Peacock, of Clayton-le-Moors, won the ladies race in 40:07 recording a decisive seven minute margin over unattached runner Amanda Crundell, from Bradford.

Peacock also won the Colne 10K last week, which should have been the first event in the Grand Prix.

Third and fourth were Mel Wilkinson-Walsh and Christine Leathley, both from Clayton. Burnley Boys Club 10K (Clayton unless stated):

Men: 1 Shaun Livesey 35:12, 2 Craig Watson 35:25, 3 (1st M40) Phil Taylor (R) 35:35, 4 Phil Hall 36:10, 5 (1st M50) Ray Lees 36:35, 6 John Wieczorek 37:05, 8 Lee Passco 37:49, 9 Neil Garnett 38:30, 10 Sean Clare (u/a) 39:05, 11 Richard Sutcliffe (R) 39:51, 20 (1st M60) Ross Jaques 42:41, 21 Dave McMillan 42:45, 22 Michael Toms 42:50, 26 Steve Dewhurst (A) 44:07, 27 (M40) Stuart Hartley (B) 44:12, 34 Mark Wilson (T) 45:19, 35 (M45) Eric Wrathall (T) 46:13, 45 (3rd M60) Leslie Jackson 50:08, 53 (3rd M65) Richard Packer (RR)

Women: 13 (1st lady/1st F45) Vanessa Peacock 40:07, 39 (2nd lady) Amanda Crundell (u/a) 47:19, 41 (3rd lady) Mel Wilkinson-Walsh 47:36, 43 (4th lady/1st L50) Christine Leathley 48:47, 48 (2nd L50) Jennifer Adams (Northern Vets) 51:44, 49 (3rd F50) Glenys Speak (Northern Vets) 51:57, 55 (1st F55) Val Lawson 57:23. Pendle hit peak form at Trafford PENDLE Ladies won their Northern Women's League fixture at Trafford on Sunday to match the performance of the men who had won the day before.

It was very much a team effort with solid points scoring and winners in every age group.

The senior 4x400m relay team of Gill Reeder, Kirsti Wilkinson, Laura Finucane and Fiona Corrigan was first past the post in 4.10.0, while the sprint team were second in 52.9.

Field athletes Vicky Haydock and Debbie Lund were respective winners of the discus and shot, as Liz Crawshaw took the 800m.

Rebecca White's younger sister Sam took the under-17s 300m race in a section where Finucane and Lisa Ashworth were also successful.

Finucane won the 300m and 800m, while Ashworth won the high jump with a new personal best of 1.37m.

Eleanor Markendale won the long jump at under-15 level, an impressive feat for a 12-year-old.

Hyndburn managed a dozen victories in their match at Ormskirk, but with a small team they finished fifth. Personal bests were scarce as they battled against a cold wind, but seniors Claire Mitchell and Charlotte Wild set new marks, Mitchell in javelin and Wild over 200m.

Vikki Grime was the club's leading scorer with wins in senior hammer, discus and shot, plus second spot in javelin. Charlotte Baron and Anna Griffiths each won twice at under-15 level.

Both Blackburn Harriers and Chorley AC were depleted because of the dreaded GCSEs. Blackburn were competing at Cleckheaton where newcomer Kara Nevans made her mark.

In her first season of competition, the under-17 secured three top three placings all against A-string competition. She finished second in the 100m and third in shot and long jump.

Rachel Holt was second in the A high jump and B long jump, while Carrie Hamilton won the B shot.

Meanwhile, under-15 Candy Hamilton was second in the A high jump.

The highlight of Chorley's day was the dominance of under-17 Victoria Snape in the 800m. She also took the 300m, while at under-15 level Laura Livesey won the 1500m and Rachel Fisher took a magnificent first place in the under-15 shot

BLACKBURN Harriers took their second win of the season in the McDonald's Boys League at Warrington to place the team third in the 16 team division -- and with two promoted at the end of the season there is all to play for.

In the under 15 section Ben Smithson was the Field Athlete of the Match, while under 13 Zac Jones was voted Track Athlete of the Match. Burnley were competing in the same fixture and finished fourth. McDonald's League winners, Blackburn Harriers: U17: Ono Odudu (200m B) Andrew Lake (100m hurdles A , high jump A , pole vault A) David Green (high jump B) Ian Clements (hammer B) U15: Matt Wood (100m A, 1500m A) Danny McLean (200m A, 400m A) Luke Jones (80m hurdles A, long jump A) Gavin Southworth (shot A , discus B) Chris Burton (shot B, hammer A) Greg Taylor (hammer B) Ben Smithson (discus A) U13: Zac Jones (100m A, 200m A) Lloyd Bury (100m B, shot A) Jordan Nevins (200m B) Mark Lake (shot B).

Burnley AC: U17: Daniel Whittaker (100m A, 200m A) Owen Woodward (long jump A) Chris Hart (3000m A) U15: Martin Wall (1500m B) U13: Phil Hayton (1500m A). Hartley leads

the challenge VETERAN Clayton Harrier John Hartley spearheaded the local challenge in last Sunday's Blackpool International Marathon as three East Lancashire runners broke the three hour barrier.

Hartley finished sixth of nearly 600 runners in 2:45:38 to be placed second in the M40 section.

Fellow Clayton runner Philip Atherton, was 14th in 2:52:52 and was pipped to the line by Blackburn Road Runner Mick Nester, who was third M45 in 2:52:26.

Jimmy Smithson, of Accrington RR, took second place in the M50 class in 3:13:34, while Chorley AC's John Swift was first M60 in 3:21:50.

Red Rose Road Runners were third in the 4x10K relay with a time of 2:40:35. Jumping to it JOHN Paul Clements and Chris Perry helped Blackburn Harriers to maximum points in the high hurdles at Jarrow.

In the latest Northern Men's League fixture there were also victories for Ben Fish in the 1500 B race and Richard Robb in the B 3000m steeplechase, while Mark Haydock set a personal best when placing second in the shot.

Although finishing thirrd of three teams, opponents Gateshead and Liverpool are regarded as two of the strongest teams in the Northern Premier League. Open outing BLACKBURN Harriers are holding an Open Track and Field Meeting on Tuesday, June 26.

The event, which is sponsored by Aixam Cars, starts at 7pm and entries will be accepted on the night between 6:30pm and 7pm.

All age groups, from under-11s to seniors, are catered for.

Further enquiries to Tony Wood 01245-56762 (daytime) or 01254-703245 (home). Dashers debuts SIX Darwen Dashers made their race debuts in the Gerry Sullivan Charities 5K at Littleborough last Tuesday.

John Barnes, Kevin Smith, Susan Duckworth, Steve Banks, Pauline Gleave and Alison James joined 15 other Dashers in a fund-raiser for Blackburn Child Care which benefited by £250.

Craig Watson, of Clayton, was the leading East Lancashire athlete with fifth in 16:27, closely followed by leading veteran Phil Taylor, of Rossendale, in sixth. Vanessa Hamlet and Dianne Fleming were seventh and eighth ladies also for Rossendale.

EAGER Chorley Harrier Chris Lane was spotted waiting at the start point of the Wood End 4M Road Race in full kit, but exactly a week too soon!

He turned up again on the right night and this time finished a creditable sixth, the leading Chorley man, and second from our area after Clayton's Lee Passco in 4th.

Wrekin's Paul Muller was the winner while Vanessa Peacock was first lady. Darwen's Brian Tull was 1st M55, team mate Julia Rushton won the F35 category and Chorley Harrier Bernice Greenhalgh took F45 honours.

Keep in touch Contributors for this page please note Andy McAllister's new e-mail address is <mailto:andy.mcallister@virgin.net>andy.mcallister@virgin.net. What's on ALL finishers in the Prestwich Challenge will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a heroes welcome!

It is an 8-mile off-road course through Prestwich Clough and the surrounding district, incorporating additional man made and natural obstacles. Start is at noon on Sunday from the Church Inn on Church Lane.

The entry form says no entries on the day so check before travelling with Rodger on 0161-763-1665.

THERE will be a two-mile fun run in Witton Park organised by Blackburn Day Care Centres.

It is on Sunday at 11am, and there is an aerobic warm up at 10:30am. All runners will receive a T-shirt or medal.

HORWICH Harriers are holding an Uphill Mile Road Race on Tuesday. Start is 7:30pm from the Bridge Inn, Horwich.

Wednesday evening sees the second of the Haigh Hall 5M Night Race Series organised by Wigan Phoenix. Registration is at Wigan Rugby Union Club, Wingates Road, off Wigan Lane near the Cherry Gardens Pub and Wigan Hospital. Arrive early as the start is a good walk away.

THE Full Bronte is a 5-mile road race from the Old Sun Hotel at Haworth. It is on Thursday with a 7:30pm start. Race calendar Sunday, June 10: Prestwich Multi Terrain Challenge, Blackburn Day Care Centre 2M Fun Run

Tuesday, June 12: Horwich Harriers Uphill Mile Wed June 13th: Haigh Hall 5M (2)

Thursday, June 14: Full Bronte 5M Sat June 16th: Derian House 10K (2)

Sunday, June 17: Freckleton Half Marathon, Potteries Marathon

Wednesday, June 20: Horwich Jubilee 4M

Thursday, June 21: Skipton Shortbank Olympics 3M Fell Race

Friday, June 22: Chorley On the Run Park Series 5K (3)

Saturday, June 23: Baxenden 5K + 1M Fun Run, Grimsargh Field Day 2M Fun Run

Sunday, June 24: Manchester 10K, Derian House Gala Day 5, Morecambe 10K

Wednesday, June 27: Chorley Woodend 4M (3), Blackburn Race for Life 5K

Friday, June 29: Blackburn RR Witton 4M Trail Race + 2 Mile Fun Run

Saturday, June 30: Lancashire Youth Games (Clitheroe)

Sunday, July 1: Charles Saer 10K (Fleetwood), Viga Thirsty Three (Heapey), White Rose 10K (Skipton)

Tuesday, July 3: Rochdale 10K, Lancaster 20 Barrier Challenge

Wednesday, July 4: Chorley 4M Night Race (3), Danefield Relay

Friday, July 6: Chorley On the Run Park Series 5K (4)

Sunday, July 8: Roddlesworth Roller & Daffodil Doddle, FILA Leyland 10M