EASTER Saturday's Rivington Pike Fell Race, Horwich RMI Harriers annual classic fell race and the second oldest in the country, dating back to 1882,, saw many great performances by the host club on the 3.25 mile, 700 feet ascent course.

This year's first Horwich runner, who won the RMI Cup, was Brendan Bolland who finished ninth in a time of 18.47. Janet Rashleigh had a terrific run and lowered the over-45 ladies' record, previously set by herself last year, by 39 seconds.

Horwich category winners included Lisa Heyes (over-35), Rashleigh (over-45), Christine Sweatman (over-50), Dave Massey (over-45), Graham Schofield (over-50) and Mike Short (over-55). In addition, Horwich recorded excellent team victories in the Men's, Veteran Men's and Lady Vets team categories.

There was also local success for Rivington Barn which won the prize for the first non-athletic team. The junior races again proved extremely popular, with 48 athletes competing in the junior Pike races.

The Horwich RMI Harriers were delighted to have the Mayor and Mayoress of Horwich in attendance, Cllr Bernard McCartin and Mrs Lynne McCartin. It was also an honour to have six time winner Paul Dugdale, Horwich's over-55 World Mountain Running Champion Mike Short, and life member Kath Schofield as special guest presenters.

Indeed, it was extremely fitting that Schofield was in attendance to present the men's team trophy the Malcolm Schofield Trophy, which fittingly on this occasion was won by Horwich RMI Harriers (B Boland, D Masey, R Jackson).

The trophy was donated by life members Kath and Peter Schofield 20 years ago in memory of their son Malcolm. Good Friday's challenging Caldervale 10 Mile Road Race saw Horwich RMI Harrier Paul Muller to finish well up in fourth place overall.

The race and fun run were dedicated to the memory of Dave Clarke, the race organiser, who tragically died following an accident.

Also on Good Friday was the Salford 10K Road Race in which Angela Allen finished sixth lady overall in a time of 36.30, maintaining her consistency at this distance. Denise Wakefield put in a great performance to win the over-50 category. Andrew Neary was Horwich's first male finisher in a time of 34.55.

RESULTS.

Caldervale Country 10 Mile Road Race: 1 K Chapman (Unattached) M40 55.45; 4 P Muller 2nd M50 58.41; 55 M Lysycia M45 69.41; 48 J Foulds M45 68.52; 67 I Charters M50 72.19; 190 P Charters L45 91.44; Finishers 214.

Salford 10K: 1 A Jones (Salford) M 29.43; 48 A Neary M 34.55; 80 A Allen L35 36.30; 81 D Mason M 36.31; 102 R Baker M 37.22; 255 D Wakefield 1st L50 43.32; Finishers 557.

Horwich RMI Harriers Pike Race: Men: 9 B Bolland M35 18.47; 10 D Massey 1st M45 18.54; 13 D Milliken M40 19.03; 14 R Jackson M40 19.11; 15 C Heys M 19.26; 18 S Diaz M 19.51; 19 G Schofield 1st M50 19.58; 20 S Nolan 2nd M45 20.07; 21 A Neary M 20.10; 22 K Gaskell 3rd M45 20.12; 28 I Hepburn M 21.05; 35 D Fleming M45 21.19; 37 P Boardman M45 21.20; 38 M Short 1st M55 21.25; 39 R Baker M 21.30; 59 R Green M45 22.37; 65 M Crook 2nd M55 22.54; 66 G Chadderton M45 23.02; 68 H Price M45 23.10; 87 I Charters M50 24.08; 89 C Snape M45 24.12; 90 B Allman M50 24.14; 121 W Brindle M40 25.42; 122 B Brindle M50 25.46; 138 R Whittaker M 26.48; 141 P Hesketh M 27.00; 144 L Pinnell M35 27.11; 171 K Makin M55 28.40; 179 D Kirkham M45 29.07; 180 A Sweatman M55 29.14; 208 P Scott M60 31.43; 216 J Coope 3rd M70 33.16; 227 E Swift M60 39.10; Finishers 228.

1 Men's Team (3): B Bolland, D Massey, R Jackson 32 1 Men's Vets Team (3): D Massey, R Jackson, G Schofield 17 Ladies: 2 J Rashleigh 1st L45 22.14; 6 L Heyes 1st L35 23.48; 9 D Allen 2nd JL 24.20; 34 C Sweatman 1st L50 29.25; 43 N Kirkham 3rd L50 30.57; 56 V Slawson L45 39.54; Finishers 56.

2 Ladies' Team (3): J Rashleigh, L Heyes, C Sweatman 38.

1 Lady Vets Team (3): J Rashleigh, L Heyes, C Sweatman 17.