Battle royal in trial race RADCLIFFE AC's 6.5 mile trail race was won by the super-veteran from Wrekin AC, Paul Muller -- but only after an eyeballs-out battle with Salford Harrier Robert Jackson.

The Salford man constantly surged ahead, only for Muller to reel him in again after every effort.

Over the last 200 yards it was Muller who had the strength for one last almighty bid to win the race and although Jackson responded gamely, it was the Wrekin man who held a three-second advantage at the end of a well-contested race.

Burnden runner Paul Worthington was over two minutes down on the leaders, which only goes to show how well they ran.

Another remarkable veteran and a Radcliffe AC junior occupied the next two places.

Welcome

Former Bury runner Ken Payne made a welcome return to the area to win the over-50s section and the up-and-coming Michael Aspinall stamped his class on the race by taking 5th place, still at the age of 16.

The first three over-40s finished closely, Ian Newcombe of Bolton holding off Bury's Peter Bates and Ian Shakeshaft of Bolton.

Radcliffe resident Brian Duffy, a member of the Burnden Club, won the over-45s with Rochdale's Donald Egan uncomfortably close.

David Scott of Clayton-le-Moors won the o/55s section from Radcliffe man Jim Rhodes, a member of the Northern Vets Club.

Five over-60s finished the run, the fastest being Middleton's Roy Lee, who can still get round the 6.5 miles in under 49 minutes.

The ladies lined-up neatly in the various age categories. Saddleworth runners Lucy Whittaker and Karen Mather took the senior and over-35 prizes, and then Burnden's Leslie Fisher and Middleton's Christine Brooks won the over-40 and over-45 sections. Another Middleton runner, Maureen Horford was best over-50, Bolton's Barbara Williams won the over-55s and Burnden's amazing over-60 runner, the youthful Tess Harrison, was first over-60.

Pleased

Radcliffe AC were really pleased with the event. A big entry of 129 produced some excellent competition, the threatened rain held off and, in Michael Aspinall, the club would appear to have a rising star in their midst. Thanks must go to Jackie and Brian at the Mason's Arms and to St John's Ambulance for standing by.

Results: 1 Paul Muller o/40 Wrekin 35.55; 2 Robert Jackson Salford 35.58; 3 Paul Worthington Burnden 38.10; 4 Ken Payne o/50 Stubbington Green 38.23; 5 Michael Aspinall jnr Radcliffe 38.35; 6 Ian Newcombe o/40 Middleton 38.42; 7 Peter Bates o/40 Bury 39.14; 8 Ian Shakeshaft o/40 Bolton 39.24; 9 Brian Duffy o/45 Burnden 37.33; 10 Donald Egan o/45 Rochdale 37.56; 24 David Scott o/55 Clayton-le-Moors 43.14; 29 Lucy Whittaker 1st lady Saddleworth 43.58; 42 Karen Mather Lo/35 Saddleworth 46.05; 44 Lesley Fisher Lo/40 Burnden 46.33; 52 James Rhodes o/55 2 Northern Vets 47.23; 58 Roy Lee o/65 Middleton 48.50; 63 Norman Shard o/60 Burnden 50.21; 64 Elaine Battson 2nd lady Man YMCA 50.43; 69 Kyrinda Hurst-Moore Lo/35 Middleton 51.16; 77 Maureen Horford Lo/50 Middleton 52.28; 113 Tess Harrison Lo/60 Burnden 60.07; 126 Barbara Williams Lo/55 Bolton 69.15.