A TOTAL of 172 runners battled soaring temperatures when they completed the annual Joan Rhodes and Eileen Royle Memorial 5k in Radcliffe last weekend.

And the next generation of runners were not left out when they took part in the inaugural Jim Rhodes Junior Races.

Christopher Merchant, from Rochdale Harriers and AC won the senior race, which starts at Cams Lane running track and takes in part of the Outwood nature trail.

He finished in 17mins 40secs with John Knowles from Bolton United Harriers second in 18:02.

Manchester YMCA Harrier Craig Jones was nine seconds behind in third.

Blackburn Harrier Carmen Byrne won the ladies' race in 19:53, beating Jenny Pilling from Rochdale Harriers and AC by 58 seconds. Paula Pilling, from Burnden Road Runners, was third in 21:05.

The popular multi-terrain race is organised by Radcliffe AC on behalf of veteran member, and former England and GB runner, Jim Rhodes.

It is held in memory of his late wife, Joan, and former Radcliffe AC head coach Eileen Royle.

The race in aid of St Anne’s Hospice is part of the Lancashire Grand Prix.

It also incorporated the Northern Masters 5k Championship, which was won by Knowles and Byrne.

The junior races were held on the track and Radcliffe AC’s Aoife Warr won the under-8s' 400m race in 2:06.

Team-mate Harry Andrew won the over-11s' mile in 6:44 and Samuel Howard (unattached) was first in the under-11s' 1k in 3:56.

Mr Rhodes said: “It was a wonderful day and it was lovely to see so many juniors running."