HORWICH RMI Harrier Lindsey Brindle anchored Team GB to victory in the 53rd running of the Staffetta 3 Rifugi international mountain race in Italy last weekend.

The race consists of three legs run in the Dolomites. Emma Collins, based in Italy got the team off to a great start on leg one covering the 4.5 km with 2400 ft of ascent in 36mins 22secs, handing over to Holly Page with a lead of three minutes.

Page, of Alexander Park Harriers, increased the lead running the second leg of 5km over the tricky skyline ridges in 33:51, leaving the final leg in the capable legs of of Horwich's fearless descender Brindle who made light work of the 4km, 2700ft of descent.

Despite a tumble in wet conditions, the Horwich star recorded the fourth fastest time ever on the final leg to bring the team home in a new women's course record time of 1:29:42.

There were double victories for Horwich athletes at the Podium 5k at Barrowford on Friday night. Because of its fast course, this events athletes of the highest calibre but Chris Farrell, beat them all including Westbury Harriers' Chris Steele and Blackburn's Ben Fish to win in 14:58. Michael Cayton also did himself proud for fifth place, only 10 seconds behind Chris in 15:08. Luke Massey finished 20th in 17:17 whilst David Lee finished 31st in the B race in 21:13.

In the Junior 5k, Lewis Wilkes was all-conquering, with an emphatic victory by two minutes to win in 18:09.

Nick Leigh had a fine win at the Haigh Hall 4 Mile road race last Wednesday in a time of 21:28. He was supported by V55s, David Barnes, 61st in 29:43 and Gordon Stone, 69th in 30:59 amongst the 100 runners.

On the same evening, Danny Hope finished third in the Pilgrim's Cross Fell Rae, completing the six-mile race with 1100 feet of ascent in 40:52. Nick Kelly finished 42nd in 48:41, Dan Gilbert 54th in 49:54 and Michael Crook 90th and first V65 in 53:58.

Saturday's good weather attracted a large entry of 142 runners to the Darwen Gala Fell Race last Saturday. Jonathan Bruton had a great run to finish third in 32:37 only 12 seconds behind second place.

Graham Schofield was 19th and third V50 in a time of 36:55 after a steady race. Tony Hesketh came home in 30th and second V60 in 40:30 with the first four V60s being separated by just 36 seconds.

The Horwich squad was completed by David Barnes in 51st place in 41:48 after his best run of the year.

Sunday's Sedbergh Hills race attracted three Horwich harriers to this Category A Long fell race which has a total climb in excess of 5000ft over its 15 miles in the Howgills. Rudolf Maciejkowicz completed the demanding course in 3hrs 12mins, Gordon Stone in 4:54:00 and Lawrence Pinnell in 5:02:00.