CLAYTON Harriers took the bronze medal in the British Fell and Hill Running Relay Championships at a misty Edale in Derbyshire on Sunday.

Beaten only by organising club Dark Peak who took full advantage of local knowledge, and a Borrowdale outfit fresh from their win in the Ian Hodgson Relay, it was the club's best performance since 1991.

The key to their success was the pairing of Mike Wallis and Andy Black on the third stage.

It was run in pairs because of the navigational skills required, but it also proved to be a long stage.

The organisers estimated that the fastest pairs would complete the stage in 90 minutes, but only two teams beat two hours.

Significantly, the three fastest teams here were the top three at the end of the day. Clayton were third in 2:04:15 which also moved the team up to third.

Simon Thompson (pictured) and Gary Wilkinson had put them into a challenging fifth spot after a sound start in the first two legs which were run solo. Simon was fifth quickest on the opening eight kilometres over the summit of Mam Tor and Gary held the position when he was sixth fastest over rocky ground along the Kinderscout plateau.

The final couple Willy Sullivan and Ian Greenwood protected their medal position to the finish.

Clayton Ladies were fifth with Maureen Laney speedy on the first stage and the partnership of English Veteran Champion Wendy Dodds and Bev McWade proving strong on the final stage.

Celebrations were muted in the Clayton camp though after Jason Harbour had to be air-lifted to hospital with a leg injury.

Running leg two for the 'B' team Jason sustained ligament damage after an early fall. Just as medical help was about to be sent he arrived at the finish, somehow managing to complete the route.

A helicopter took him to hospital at Sheffield. Fortunately he was not detained and he is recovering well at home. A strong show by his team mates brought the 'B' team up to a final 20th position.

Darwen Dasher's Welsh International Russell Owen helped his first club Eryri take second place to Kendal in the veteran class. Russell ran the troublesome third leg in 2:26:20 with team mate Steve Barnard. Fourth veterans were Horwich featuring Darwen's former English Veteran Champion Graham Schofield who was seventh on leg four. Darwen Dashers were 45th of 80 finishers in their first effort in the event, and Todmorden Veterans were 59th.

1 Dark Peak 5:01:33, 2 Borrowdale 5:06:14, 3 Clayton 'A' 5:15:50 (1. Simon Thompson 44:13-5th, 2. Gary Wilkinson 50:32-6th, 3. Mike Wallis/Andy Black 2:04:15-3rd, 4. Willy Sullivan/Ian Greenwood 1:36:50-12th) 20. Clayton 'B' 6:07:03 (1. Dave Walker 45:50-9th, 2. Jason Harbour 1:12:40-66th, 3. Neil Worswick/Chris Giltrow-Smith 2:33:12-18th, 4. Andy Orr/Paul Thompson 1:35:21-8th) 45 Darwen Dashers 6:57:20 (1. Dave Naughton 48:30-22nd, 2. Mark France 56:13-23rd, 3. Julian Donnelly/Vince Brookes 3:01:24-48th, 4. Simon Kirby/Harold Ryan 2:11:13-64th) 58 Clayton Ladies 7:22:02 (1. Maureen Laney 53:07-37th, 2. Alison Martin 1:13:37-71st, 3. Kath Wallis/Katy Thompson 3:15:37-64th, 4. Wendy Dodds/Bev McWade 1:59:41-48th) 59 Todmorden Vets 7:23:59