RADCLIFFE Athletic Club took more than 30 runners to the Gin Pit 5 in Tyldesley on Sunday for the 10th and final race of the Central Lancs Grand Prix series.

Neal Emmerson was the club's first finisher, fifth in a 265-strong field in 30mins 3secs.

Donna Cartwright was fourth woman overall and first woman V40, clocking 34:42secs, while Sheila Jones was first V60 in 42:16.

On a multi-lap course with a testing climb and plenty of mud, the women's team was fourth, with Katie Percival (36:57) and Kate Holden (39:48) their other two counters alongside Cartwright.

The men's team was fifth with Chris Paxton (31:31), who finished 20th overall, and Mike Kontowtt (34:17), who was fourth V50 and 39th overall, counting alongside Emmerson.

A spokesman for the club said: "With lots of new members, good coaching and encouragement the club has improved massively from only 10th overall in the event last year. When the final standings are worked out by the organisers the club could well be up their fighting for honours in a number of categories." 

Other finishers: Ian Warrington (40th) 34:30, Mauro Rotondi (fourth V45) 35:40, Dave Rushton (V50) 35:58, Mark Williams (V50) 36:34, Kris Lee (V40) 36:41, Mark Wolfenden (V50) 37:49, Peter Hunter 38:15, John Andrew (V40) 38:58, Nick Barnes 39:25, Chris Fletcher 41:05, Sarah Scott 41:32, Chris Saville (V40) 42:28, Alan Brown (V60) 43:51, Amanda Hey (V55) 44:11, Kath Davies (fourth V50) 45:29, Susanne Andrew (V40) 46:40, Katie Benson 47:45, Karen Doherty (V40) 48:17, Andy Wheeler (V60) 48:58, Ian Hopkinson (V40) 49:27, Sarah Rushton (V45) 49:41, Iain Harris (V65) 52:00, Lucy Dewhurst 53:02 and Christine Berry (V45) 1:01:20.

Sarah Oxley clocked 2:24:07 in the Redcar Half Marathon on Sunday.

A group of 10 Radcliffe runners took on the tough midweek Ron Hill 79th Birthday 5k Race, and even had their photograph taken with the former Olympic runner.

In the event at Whitworth, Rochdale, Chris Paxton was ninth and first for the club in 20:59. Mauro Rotondi (V45) was 19th in 22:55 and Kris Lee was second V40 and 21st overall in 23:04.

Other finishers: Jenny Yates (fourth woman and first V50) 25:03, Lisa Carter (first V45) 27:50, Vince Ashton (V45) 28:45, Iain Harris (V65) 32:50, Andy Wheeler (V60) 33:10, Lisa Donnelly (V45) 36:17 and Christine Berry (V45) 40:01.

Jenny Yates also ran the Littleborough 10k as she warms up for the Chester Marathon this weekend. She completed a flat, picturesque course in 46:43 to finish V50.