SIXTEEN runners from Radcliffe AC were all steamed up when they took on the popular Race the Train challenge. But it was just the ticket and the 10-mile event in Bury on Sunday got the thumbs up all round.

The aim was to beat the train on its journey from Bury Station to Rawtenstall. Seven members managed to do it with Neal Emmerson first back for the club with a fine run in 12th place out of 206 in 1hr 11mins 56secs. Following him in were Michael Cooke in 39th place in 1:17:35, Steve Hamer, fifth vet-55 in 1:23:57, Ian Warrington in 1:27:17, John Andrew (V40) in 1:28:08, Kris Lee (V40) in 1:31:27 and Chemane Brier with a good run in 1:32:18.

Among the other Radcliffe runners, Kath Davies came in first vet-50 in 1:35:37, Amanda Hey second vet-50 in 1:36:31 and Sheila Jones first vet-60 in 1:38:09. Mark Emmett (V55) ran 1:35:01, Chris Saville (V40) clocked 1:36:56, Susanne Andrew (V40) 1:47:32, Sinead Hayes 1:47:44, Andy Wheeler (V55) 1:55:44 and Louise Bowden 2:07:38.

The multi-terrain course had to be shortened from 12 miles due to the Bury Show being held at Burrs Country Park on the same day but it was still a tough challenge for runners. It was a day out for everyone with family and friends travelling on the train watching the race.

In the midweek Eddies Revenge Fell Race at Shaw in Oldham, Dave Ward (V40) showed his form again by coming home first for Radcliffe and 12th overall out of 80 runners in 29mins 49secs. The 3.8-mile race with 1,080 feet of climbing and described as a "lung buster" was part of the Run The Moors Grand Prix series in which Radcliffe take part along with several other local clubs.

Following Ward in was Mark Cartwright (V40) who clocked 33:52. Steve Hamer (V55) ran 35:43, Chris Paxton 37:24, Kath Davies (V50) 38:49, Vince Ashton (V40) 39:05, Sinead Hayes 41:59, Susanne Andrew (V40) 44:02, Caroline Mullineux 47:02 and Dawn Evans (V45) 63:37.

In the Walney Island 10k in Barrow-in-Furness, Rob Lister clocked 43:44 and in the Colshaw Hall 10k near Knutsford Angela Hughes was well pleased with her 1:14, knocking seven minutes off her last 10k time.

In the 5k Heaton parkrun, Simon Barret was 27th out of 530 runners with a time of 20:42 and Peter Hunter was close behind in 31st place with 20:49. Sheila Jones (V60) clocked 23:44, Nick Barnes ran 24:32, Zena Knowles (V40) had a personal best with 25:39, Barry Young (V40) clocked 27:25 and Iain Harris (V65) running with his wife Shelley clocked 37:58.

At Bolton, Ken Smith (V55) joined 101 runners and clocked 24:07, Mark Wolfenden (V45) ran 24:57 and Kath Davies (V50) ran 25:39.

Vince Ashton (V40) ran the Worsley Woods Parkrun in 24:22 putting him 92nd out of 288 runners and 11th in age category and Dawn Evans travelled further afield when she went to Scotland to celebrate her birthday and ran the Springburn parkrun in Glasgow in 33:05.