RADCLIFFE AC runners Sheila Jones and Neal Emmerson have earned England Masters vests after great marathon and half-marathon performances.

Vet-35 Emmerson has qualified to represent his country in his age group at the Maidenhead Half-Marathon in September.

He received the news from England Athletics after finishing ninth in 1hr 16mins 13secs at the recent Hull Half-Marathon.

Vet-60 Jones’s time of 3:57:26 at last month’s Manchester Marathon will see her run with the England Masters team at the Yorkshire Marathon in October.

She will be joined by Radcliffe AC’s Jenny Yates who qualified for her Vet-50 vest at last year’s Chester Marathon.

Radcliffe AC head coach Ian Warrington said: “I am immensely proud of our athletes.

"The England vests are a fine reward for the months of hard miles they have endured in training."

There was more success for the club when Kathryn Davies won the Vet-55 age group and was 11th woman overall at the 25th annual Rochdale Three-Day event.

She completed three tough six-mile events on consecutive days, clocking 55:16 in the Norden Road Race, 1:02:45 at the Naden Valley Multi-Terrain Race and 1:15:14 in the Knowl Hill Fell Race. Paul Swyers also ran the fell race in 1:00:38.

There were also two podium places at the Tatton 10k when Robert Short finished second in 37:16, while Katie Percival was third woman in 43:16.

Over longer distances, Michelle Hincks and Helen Andrews had heavy rain at the scenic Ladybower Trail Marathon in the Peak District.

They got soaked through when they ran together to clock 4:42:00.

Meanwhile, Dave Rushton took on some four-legged runners at the Man v Horse Race in Powys, Wales.

The challenging 22.5-mile multi-terrain race between runners and horse riders features steep inclines and declines and a few water crossings.

The aim is for runners to beat the first horse and, while no one managed it this year, Rushton was pleased with his time of 4:08:11.

Three took to the hills in wet conditions for 1,804 feet of climbing at Weets Fell Race at Barnoldswick.

Andy Haines was first home for the club over the 5.5-mile course in 52:07, Paul Swyers ran 55:49 and Lisa Carter was fourth Vet-45 in 1:03:33.

Earlier in the week, Carter finished second Vet 45 in 1:17:30 at the 7.5-mile Leo Pollard Memorial fell race at Rivington which featured 1,398 feet of climbing.

Craig Norman continued his great form when he ran 45:52 to finish sixth overall and first Vet-40 at the 10k Mast Race – a 5k uphill and 5k downhill to Winter Hill mast and back.

Four members were at the Edgworth Reservoir 10k Challenge which lived up to its name with short steep hills, mud and steps.

Peter Cook was first Vet-60 in 52:35, Kirsten Cook claimed third Vet-50 in 58:05, Chris Saville ran 59:29 and Andy Wheeler clocked 1:08.39.