BOLTON schoolteacher Ken Chapman won the Brother Tour of Tameside by nearly three minutes from last year's winner Bashir Hussain of Stockport.

In fourth, a minute behind, was Tony Duffy, a Bolton Harrier who was the first veteran Over 40 too, over half an hour ahead of Sale's Bill Fox.

The Tour of Tameside, sponsored by Brother, is a six-day race for runners and covers 52 miles or two marathons. it ended at Hyde Town Hall last Saturday and attracted nearly 400 entrants from all over Britain, Europe and Russia. It is billed as the toughest challenge in British athletics. Chapman and Duffy, who were new to Tour racing, showed the best assembled field for years how to do it. Three of the top six are past Tour Champions. The main awards were presented by Mr K Tazaki, the Chairman of Brother Europe.

These included Duffy, first veteran and fourth overall; Michael Barnes second in the Over 55s, and Horwich-based Bryan Rogers, winner of the Over 60s. The average age of all entered was 41, and the oldest 69.

Duffy, a recent signing for the Harriers, was a brave runner-up in the first day ran in a heatwave. He slipped to fourth in the shorter, faster races. A past winner of the Warsaw marathon, this is not surprising as marathons are his forte.

He said afterwards: "I'm pleased to have run so well all week. It would be good to get a few more fast times. It was a shame I could not count in the team race. Nevertheless I am happy with the result. The Tour is a great idea." The idea was conceived by Ron Hill, the former world record holder who is a life member of the Harriers and counted for the team. Barnes was 85th overall and nearly an hour behind Duffy. Brian Little was 90th and Hill was 176th.

Albert Sunter, now 36 and a veteran of countless Tours, was the only Horwich RMI Harrier. He was not fully fit but came a reasonable 73rd. Others in the A-Plas team included John Bateman (Golborne Trotters) 109th; Chris Taylor (Lostock AC) 139th; Donald Price (Lostock AC) 244th; Ken Workman (Lostock AC) 267th and Leo Pollard (Lostock AC) 268th.

Worsley Harrier Fred Done (of Done Bookmakers) was 212th.

Spectrum Striders' Alan Peers, fifth overall in the Over 55s, came 129th.

Bolton Harriers were placed 11th in the team race which was dominated by Stockport. Teams from Greater Manchester, Worthing Striders and South West Road Runners were ahead of the Bolton trio of Barnes, Little and Hill.

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