Horwich RMI Harriers' annual Rivington Pike Race made a triumphant return after a two-year absence with a massive turnout and an outstanding team effort from the home club.

Birchfield Harrier Mike Boulstridge, who also won in 2000, defended his title to lift the Cyril Hodgson Memorial Trophy after fending off a strong challenge from Horwich ace Rob Hope to win by 22 seconds.

Alex McVey finished in fifth place, with Jason Hodgson in seventh and Rob Jackson in 14th as Horwich romped away with the mens team award.

The club also boasted the first ladies team, with mens and ladies vets teams also taking first place to cap a great haul.

first places. Tony Hesketh, first vet 50, Audrey Foster, first lady vet 50 and Christine Sweatman, first lady vet 45, all ran well.

But the run of the day came from Horwich's Paul Murray who took the first vet 60 place and smashed the previous course age record by 20 seconds. Idris Evans, of Lostock AC, also bettered his own vet 75 record.

In the junior Pike races nearly 60 athletes competed, with Horwich's best finisher being Matthew Smith, who finished third in the under 16 Boys race.

RESULTS

Pike Race 2002 - 1 M.Bouldstridge (Birchfield H) 16.54, 5 A.McVey (JM) Horwich RMI 18.07, 7 J.Hodgson 18.23, 14 R.Jackson 18.58, 15 S.Barlow (2ndV40) 19.04, 18 S.Culshaw 19.18, 19 C.Heys 19.19, 25 S.Jackson (2nd V45) 19.51, 30 K.Gaskell (3rd V40) 20.08, 31 T.Hesketh (1st V50) 20.10, 37 T.Orrell (3rd V45) 20.36, 41 P.Dewhurst (V40) 21.00, 49 P.Boardman (V40) 21.13, 54 G.Kay 21.26, 68 A.Hallahan 22.02, 78 A.Gorman 22.29, 92 P.Murray (1st V60) 22.59, 94 J.Farnworth 23.03, 96.P.Bland (V50) 23.07, 101M.Crook (V50) 23.17, 105 P.Ramsdale (V40) 23.27, 114 A.Sweatman (V50) 23.41, 120 S.Budgett (2nd L35) 23.57, 127 I.Smith (V45) 24.42, 133 B.Allman (V45) 24.58, 134 S.Baines (V40) 25.03, 136 P.Watson (V55) 25.07, 152 S.Gorman (L) 25.38, 159 A.Foster (1st L50) 25.56, 161 E.Swift (V55) 26.03, 162.K.Latham (V45) 26.07, 168 A.Blinkhorn (V50) 26.19, 169.L.Threadgold (L35) 26.20, 182.J.Abbott (2nd LJ) 26.42, 183 P.Scott (V55) 26.48, 187 L.Pinnel 27.04, 193 T.Gidman (V55) 27.24, 212 R.Murray (L) 28.53, 222 C.Bradley ( L) 29.43, 231 C.Sweatman (1st L45) 30.31. Finshers 261.

Team Results, Men - 1 Horwich RMI 26, 2 Clayton 31, 3 Trafford 64.

b 1 Horwich RMI 11, 2 Stockport 56, 3 Clayton 74.

Ladies - 1 Horwich RMI 27, 2 Chorley H 40, 3 Lytham 80.

Ladies (Vets) 1 Horwich RMI 21, 2 Chorley H 23.

Juniors, U14 Boys - 1 C.Pearce (Blackburn.H.) 9.32, U12 Girls - 1 E.Highton (Hyndburn ) 13.15, U14 Boys - 1 J.Grimsley (Trafford) 9.35, 7 R.Green (Horwich RMI) 11.04, U14 Girls - 1 D.Walker (Burnley) 10.45, b1 N.Taylor (Trafford) 13.54, 3 M.Smith (Horwich RMI) 14.20, 13 R.Burns 19.23, U16 Girls - 1 Z.Storr (Holmfirth) 15.49.