THE 12th annual running of the Lancashire Road Club Hill Climb was held at the imposing 'Rake' course at Ramsbottom yesterday.

This year's event included the BUSA Championship for College and University Students with entrants from various educational establishments swelling the number of riders to over 90.

The emphatic winner of the open event was once again Jim Henderson in a time of 2 minutes 27.2 seconds for the 947 yard course. Second was Dave Clarke with 2:33.0 with Robert English third in 2:35.3.

Yet again the winning team was put out by reigning National Champions, Blackburn and District CTC.

The veterans event was won by Peter Greenwood in a time of 2:49.3 beating Chris Forde into second.

Winner and second place in the open and BUSA ladies events were Cath Ware and Jules Toone, from Loughborough, with times of 3:30.3 & 4:09.3.

First-placed junior rider was Ben Greenwood, Bath University, whose 2:39.3 was good enough to also win the BUSA gold medal. Silver went to Richard Teare of Derby University in a time of 2:45.9 while bronze position was a dead heat between Martin Cubison (UMIST) and Barry Stewart (Nottingham).

Nottingham University took the BUSA team award with a combined time of 8:58, Loughborough were second in 9:18.1 and Oxford third in 9:3.26.

Second-placed Junior rider was Calogero Difalco from Horwich CC in a time of 2:558.9 while Andrew Hill and James Keenan were first and second in the Juvenile catagory, with times of 2:59.4 & 3:31.1 respectively.