THE memory of Radcliffe AC stalwart Jim Rhodes lived on when athletes of all ages competed in Radcliffe last weekend.

Twenty four runners lined up in Radcliffe AC’s annual Joan Rhodes and Fred Norris 5k on Sunday, while around 30 youngsters competed over various distances in the Jim Rhodes junior races on the same day

Rhodes, who died in January, aged 78, organised the 5k multi-terrain race for many years, which was named after his late wife and a former Olympian.

The junior races were introduced last year to honour him, one of the club’s oldest members who championed runners of all ages and abilities.

At the weekend, Chris Whittaker was first home for the club in 18mins 26secs and was fourth overall in the 5k race along the trails and paths of Outwood.

Chris Paxton was fifth in 18:48 and junior Lachlan Burke ran 19:43 to finish seventh.

Also running were Steven Fawcett, who clocked 22:26, Deborah Barrington, who was third woman in 27:22, Karen Doherty (29:49 – first Vet-45), Iain Harris (32:32 – first vet-70), Amanda Darbyshire (32:51), Lucy Tetler (33:13) and Natalie Hitchen (34:16).

Both the club’s men and women won the team titles and other members marshalled and volunteered at the events which raised around £160 for St Ann’s Hospice.

Several of the club’s members also took part in the junior races at Cams Lane Track, receiving colourful medals and earning podium places.

Elsewhere, Helen Andrew said she was “chuffed” at completing her longest ultra – the picturesque 50-mile Pen Llyn Race in Wales.

She was ninth female in 11:25:00 and 24th overall out of 108 runners who took on the route which starts and finishes at Aberech Sands near Pwllheli.

Eleven from the club lined up for the midweek Eddie’s Revenge Fell Race in Shaw, a 3.8-mile course with 1,060 feet of climbing.

Part of the Run The Moors fell championship, Robert Short was well up the field in eighth place out of more than 120 runners, clocking 28:11.

He was followed by John Wrigley in 30:10 and Lachlan Burke, who was first under-18 in 30.52.

Other results: Andy Haines 31:50, Katie Percival (third woman) 32:29, Lee Turner 32:34, Paul Swyers 32:36, John Andrew 36:20, Mark Wolfenden 39:08, Lisa Carter 40:46, Kathryn Davies (second Vet-55) 40.55.

Sarah Jackson and Lucy Dewhurst ran 15 miles when they took part in the Round Sheffield Run, an undulating multi-stage race they completed together in 2:38:34.

Kathryn Davies and Karen Doherty also took part in the tough Kingfisher Lodge Trail Race, an undulating course of 5.68k around the trails of Phillips Park.

Meanwhile, junior Niamh Warr represented St Michael's RC Primary School, Whitefield, in the long jump at the Prestwich and Whitefield schools athletics competition.