Horwich RMI juniors stormed to a host of medals at the Belmont Winter Hill Fell Race which incorporated the Greater Manchester Fell Championships.

In the under-12s race Will Townsend won his category and also the championship, while Matthew Brindle, aged 10, took silver, and Lauren Fairhurst impressed in taking silver in the U12s girls’ race.

In the two-mile race, Sam Bromley was second in the U14s race and, more importantly, first in the county championships, and Jonathan Powis had his best race to date in finishing second in the county championships.

Results: U12s boys 1.5 miles: 1 W Townsend 13.40, 6 M Brindle 14.57; U12s girls: 14 L Fairhurst 25.42; U14s boys 2 miles: 2 S Bromley 16.18, 4 J Powis 18.23.

The first of the English Fell Championship races took place at The Anniversary Waltz in Stair, Cumbria.

In the under-13s race the Horwich team consisted of Phoebe Howe for the girls, Will Townsend, Nathan Townsend and Cameron Critchley. Phoebe Howe was the first club runner to the steep summit with Cameron close behind.

In the race to the finish, Nathan was third-placed boy and Cameron seventh boy, while Phoebe was third girl and Will was 17th.

In the U14s race, Joseph Howe made a great start and got to the summit in 12th which was his final placing in a field of 45 runners. Zac Howe produced his best run to date, finishing a fantastic eighth boy.

The second English Junior Championship race was held at Coiners Fell in Mytholmroyd. Esme Critchley finished a superb fourth in the U8s girls’ in her first fell race.

Lauren Fairhurst was 16th in the U10s girls’ race, while in the U12s race In a big field of 40 runners, Nathan Townsend was third boy, closely followed by Phoebe Howe who was third girl, and Cameron Critchley who was seventh boy. Will Townsend was12th. In the U14s, Joseph Howe was 10th boy and Jonathan Powis, having just moved up to this age group, held on for a brilliant 19th.