PAUL Massey of Horwich RMI Harriers missed out by just two seconds as he finished second at the Colin and Brenda Robinson Hospice 4.3 mile Road Race in Rochdale.

Club mate Colin Rigby had another excellent run as he took up the lead in the first 1 miles.

Paul and Dave Shaw of Bolton Harriers were in this leading pack and at the halfway stage Paul used a series of climbs to split up the pack.

The eventual winner Will Smith of Keighley is known for his fell running strength and managed to stick with Paul till the finish. It was only in the final sprint that the Keighley runner got the edge. Colin narrowly missed out on third place to Dave Shaw, while Terry Orrell had a super race finishing 12th in 24-27 (1st Vet 45) and Gordon Entwistle was 3rd Vet 50 in 28-13.

The race was a terrific event and a credit to organiser Andy O'Sullivan. It is estimated approximately £400 will be made which will go towards the Colin and Brenda Robinson Hospice.

Colin Rigby followed up his great run at Rochdale when he clocked 16.31 for the Heaton Park 5K on Saturday. The wet and windy conditions meant his time was down on what he would have expected, but the race proved a good sharpener for today's Northern 12 stage Relay.

This takes place at Leeds and involves 4 x 5 mile stages and 8 x 3 mile stages. The Harriers are hoping all their top runners, including Colin, will be fit and well to mount a strong team challenge in this prestigious event. Results - Colin and Brenda Robinson 4.3 miles: 1. Will Smith Keighley & Craven 22.46; 2. Paul Massey Horwich RMI 22.48; 3. Dave Shaw Bolton 22.52; 4. Colin Rigby 23.00; 12. Terry Orrell 1st V45 24.27; 55. Gordon Entwistle 3rd V50 28.13 (132 finishers)