RADCLIFFE AC runners turned out to an exciting tour of the local countryside recently when they took part in the inaugural Pennine Bridleway Relay.

Otherwise known as the Mary Townley Loop, the bridleway follows a circuit extending between Bacup and Burnley, taking in lots of nice scenery along the way.

Two of the club's ladies, Carly Hancock and Gerry Dewhurst, took on the first leg out of Waterfoot.

Just over an hour later they brought Radcliffe AC home in 26th place out the 39 teams for a good start to the race. That first leg actually crossed 40 gates, a little bit too much in the way of natural obstacles!

Danny Appleby and Adrian Harris took over for leg two, an hour and a half of determined running bringing Radcliffe home in 21st place at the handover near Hebden Bridge.

There was good progress as Dave Bartlett and Mike Howard did another hour's running past Stoodley Pike to Summit near Rochdale.

They brought the team up to 17th place after a really good effort.

The juniors' coaches, Arthur Warren and John Agg, showed their charges what competition is all about as they moved on past Watergrove Reservoir to hand over near Whitworth. Team position: 16th.

Brian Booth and Steve Hamer were able to keep it all together over Rooley Moor, on the return to Waterfoot.

Their 75 minutes of hard effort saw Radcliffe retain a satisfying 16th position at the end of the 37 miles loop, with the team definitely prepared to come back for another go at this excellent event.