THE pace was set this week by Harriers’ junior athletes with a great team effort from both the boys and girls in the Witton Park Trail Relay, a popular event with 141 teams from all age groups including seniors.

The boys’ team of Robert Seddon, Lewis Wilkes and Lucas Milliken finished in 18th place and fifth junior team, while the girls’ team of Millie Lever, Ella Pendlebury and Isabella Merritt were third female junior team and 53rd overall.

Isabella was then joined by Alyssia Jackson in guesting at the Mid Lancs track and field meeting in Preston where Isabella was third in the under-13s' 1500m in 5mins 11.5secs and Alyssia was fourth in the 800m in 2:49.2.

At the Trafford AC grand prix meeting in Stretford there were personal bests in the 800m u15 races from Luke Brindle (2:18.16), Matthew Flatters (2:18.17), Toby Middleton (2:24.05) and Ella Pendlebury (2:34.13).

At the lower end of the age scale in the Wigan Primary League meeting, Alastair Sharrock was star of the show with three first places in the 75m, 150m and the long jump. Oliver Brennand had two thirds and a second in the same events and Harrison Stokes was second in the 600m.

Meanwhile, Chris Farrell has been selected for the England team for next week’s Snowdon International Mountain race. England are defending champions in this prestigious race and last year Farrell was second overall, making a massive contribution to the team win.

Caitlin Rice (Ribble Valley Harriers), third lady at Rivington Pike this year, is selected for the women’s England team who are also defending their title. The Ireland team will be led out by Harriers’ member James Kevan.

This weekend is the fourth leg of the English fell championships at the Wasdale fell race – 21 miles and 9,000 feet of ascent.

Phil Marsden will look to at least consolidate his 11th position in the championship series.

This week in the club’s fell championship Dan Gilbert enhanced his lead with his ninth place at Eddie’s Revenge, but Gary Chadderton will not give up his title easily and was only three places behind at the same race.

Eddie’s Revenge is also a counter in the Area Fell Grand Prix made up of eight local clubs, where Gilbert is in fourth place overall and Chadderton seventh after this result.

Elsewhere on the road, Rob Jackson continued his fine record in the Northern Masters Championships with third place in the 5k that was part of the Joan Rhodes and Fred Norris Memorial race in Radcliffe.

He won the V50 gold medal and was also pleased his father presented the ladies V70 trophy to Brenda Robinson, of Rochdale, in memory of his mother.

At Queens Park junior parkrun, Matthew Flatters won with a personal best of 6:59.

The juniors also featured in parkrun races. Eva Baldwin, second female at Haigh Woodland, achieved a great 76.27 per cent rating, Isaac Battye was fourth overall at Blackpool and Lewis Wilkes took another top-three place at Bolton.

Horwich RMI Harriers results: Eddie’s Revenge fell race (Shaw) – 9th Dan Gilbert 29:03, 11th Michael Chadderton 29:25, 12th Gary Chadderton 29:29, 50th Doug Fleming 34:31, 86th Lawrence Pinnell 39:10, 128th Ed Swift 55:08.

Harrock Hill fell race (Parbold) – 12th Paul Muller 38:57, 22nd Steven Foley 40:19.

Joan Rhodes and Fred Norris Memorial 5k road race (Radcliffe) – 16th Robert Jackson 18:34, 30th Michael Chadderton 19:25, 106th Lawrence Pinnell 24:54, 181st Heather Pinnell 37:45.

Southport half marathon – 538th Steve Thomasson 1:51:36.