RADCLIFFE AC had 80 at their presentation night on Saturday at Bury Masonic Hall and chairman Chris Paxton said it had been a 'cracking' year for the growing club.

The club started a new competition this year based on points obtained throughout the season over 48 events on road, trail, fell and cross country.

There were three prizes for each age and gender category and runners had to compete in at least 10 races.

Kris Lee had the highest number of points among the men, having competed in 44 events and Katie Percival had the highest total among the women.

Winners ranged from the youngest, 15-year-old Grace Williams to the oldest, vet-75 Jim Rhodes – both getting the highest number of points in their age groups. 

There was a special award for 26 members after running 10 or more races. It was named after the club's former head coach Eileen Royle who died last year and given to recognise their dedication to the club.

The Terry Nortley Cup, named after the former club president and coach who died in 2011, was awarded to Neal Emmerson for his exceptional performances throughout the year, while the Radcliffe AC Shield went to the club's membership secretary Chris Saville for his outstanding contributions to the club.

The Nellie Halstead Trophy, named after the Radcliffe Olympian, was awarded to Sarah Rushton for getting outside her comfort zone and competing in many races and the Norman Schofield Cup, named after a former member, went to her husband Dave for his infectious personality and enthusiasm.

The most improved man and woman were Mauro Rotondi and Percival and cross-country awards went to John Wrigley (men) and Donna Cartwright (women). 

Special mention was made of  social secretary Les Elkins, recovering from an operation at Oldham Royal, who had organised the evening and was unable to attend.

On the racing scene, Dave McGrath ran the Boulsworth Bog Fell Race at Colne and got himself 10th place covering the 8.2 miles and 1,394 feet of climbing in 58mins 21secs. 

Mark Garner got himself a personal best time by nine minutes at the 25th Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday when he clocked 1:37:06 to claim an eighth half-marathon medal. 

Michelle Hincks was also pleased with her time in the challenging Darwen Heritage Half Marathon on Sunday.

She ran a new PB in 2:09:00. Bev McGrath also ran and, despite struggling with injury, she clocked 2:39:00. 

New member Andy Haines clocked 58:32 in the second running of the 9k Pendle Hill Dark Dash Night Fell Race.

The tough event ran from Barley on to the Pendle Way and the Clough and proceeds went to the Rossendale and Pendle Mountain Rescue Team.

Vet 50 Paul Swyers took to the hills on Sunday in the 15.4-mile Heptonstall Fell Race in West Yorkshire.

He clocked 2:56:00, covering 3,169 feet of climbing on a course which had bogs and open countryside.

Six women took on the Northern Athletic Road Relay Championships at Birkenhead Park on the Wirral, finishing 33rd out of 47 teams.

The event, on flat traffic free paths and roads in the park, was divided into six stages with Helen Andrew on the first 8k leg running 34:37, Donna Cartwright going next on a 4.5k leg in 15:56, Jenny Yates also on a short leg ran 15:59, Lisa Carter ran an 8k leg in 38:54, Caroline Mullineaux completed 4.5k in 19:05 and  Paula Abernethy ran the last 4.5k in 17:05.

There were smiles for Kate Holden after she came third vet 40 in the South East Lancs Cross Country League, one of two leagues Radcliffe took part in during the season and she was the only member to get an award.