RADCLIFFE ATHLETIC CLUB

THE South East Lancs Cross-Country League moved on to its annual fixture at Hopwood Hall, Middleton.

The courses for all the races involved at least one dip in the swollen brook.

Cold, wet feet did not deter Rachel Howard as she came home 32nd in the Under-13 Fillies race in a time of 11.37 mins for the one and a half miles.

In the senior ladies race, which included four stream crossings, Alison Curphey carried the Radcliffe vest to 53rd place in 35,34mins. Over 55s runner Brenda Geer still manages to get round these difficult, muddy courses and she finished 81st and 22nd Over-45 in 48.14.

Ben Crowshaw worked hard in the Under-13s Colts race and came home a respectable 21st in 9.36. Jim Howard, somewaht younger than most of the opposition, held on for a decent 48th place in 13,06. The Under-17s youths racesaw Gary Crowshaw habg on for 14th in 27.20, another good run.

The men's races at these events get ever bigger and 149 runners swelled a quality field.

There were six stream crossings this time and Mike Howard finished 56th after his usual sterling effort in 40.06.

Dave Bartlett was 105th in 43.50 and Over-50 Arthur Warren was 114th in 44.14, beating Over-45 Brian Booth into 115th in 44.25 and Over-40 Mark Emmett into 127th in 46.06. A bit of an improvement from Mr Bartlett!