JENNIFER Adams was first veteran in last Sunday's Manchester Marathon.

Clitheroe's finest ran 3:10.14, a full 15 minutes faster than her class winning time in the British Veterans Championship last month.

That was just enough to defeat former England International Sue Crehan (3:10.51). She was also the third lady finisher behind winner Estelle Maguire of Stockport Harriers.

Second East Lancashire lady was Sandra Snape of Blakburn Road Runners whose 15th position in 3:35.23 was a PB. Sandra has decided to stop running marathons as she feels she reached her full potential in this race, but first she will join Jennifer at the presentation evening to collect her trophy for third over 35.

Jennifer's Red Rose team-mate Val Sutcliffe was 18th in 3:29.16, and a second Blackburn Road Runner Christine Hamilton ran 3:52.36 for 29th. Clayton Harrier Dany Robson was the fifth local to crack four hours, her 3:56.57 placing her 33rd.

Clayton Veterans Roger Brewster and Alan Clarkson had their own private battle with Roger's 2:41.17 helping him to third veteran and 19th overall. Alan's 2:42.59 put him 25th and a third Clayton Vet Graham Cunliffe was 70th in 3:01.25. Blackburn Road Runner Mick Nester was outside his own club record as he logged 2:54.36 (51st), still a fine time for a 45-year-old, and Darwen Dasher Nev Rickard chasing his club's record managed 2:49.05 for 36th. A second Dasher, Andy Smith was 79th in 3:02.58. Two Chorley Harriers, Ian Williams (3.34) and Lee Meredith (3:51.48) ran their first marathons - Ian's verdict? Never again. That isn't Al Hodgson's motto though, the 73-year-old Accrington Road Runner added another to his tally as he aims to beat last year's total of eight.

Blind runner Mike Ogle of Chorley Harriers also notched another, running around with helper Graham Stephenson in 4:19.23.

Other results - Rossendale: 108 Greg McDermott 3:07.51, 166 Andy Davies 3:18.03.

Clayton: 130 Jason Harbour 3:11.59, 179 Ben Brown 3:20.29.

Darwen Dashers: 132 Gary Taylor 3:12.11, 164 Shane Gudgeon 3:17.47.

Blackburn RR: 170 Mark Roberts 3:19.16, 206 Fran Finnerty 3:24.52, 428 Derek Coleran 3:52.36.

Chorley Harriers: 277 Alan Matthews 3:34.47, 389 Martin Harrington 3:48.38. 421 Lee Meredith 3:51.48, 423 John McDonald 3:51.49,47 (Lady) Nicola Holland 4:15.05, 591 Mike Ogle 4:19.23, 592 Graham Stephenson 4:19.23. Accrington RR: 207 Jimmy Smithson 3:24.52, 679 Al Hodgson 4:38.48.

Burnley AC: 285 Stuart Henderson 3:36.43.

Unattached East Lancs: 98 Neil Floyd (Burnley), 113 Dermott Patterson (Burnley) 3:08.49. 191 Steve Holden (Blackburn) 3:22.36, 201 Bernard Kirk (Nelson) 3:24.28, 227 David McKenna (Darwen) 3:28.33, 324 Matthew Holt (Ramsbottom) 3:41.24, 353 Paul Sutherland (Burnley) 3:44.20, 370 Richard Hosey (Blackburn) 3:46.31, 455 Jim Hoyle (Ramsbottom) 3:56.17, 469 Mark Horsfall (Burnley) 3:58.25.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.