PERHAPS not the best day to choose for this race, the location itself is isolated and bleak, even on a sunny day in June so picture the scene on a stormy morning in October. The drive there proved difficult with massive puddles and blown-down trees spread across the road - and this was only the main Rochdale Road!

The sign on the door of The Summit pub, the start and finish of the race, said it all - "Wet tops should be worn" - but no clue as to how you were supposed to keep them on. At least the two Bury AC lads arrived safely in Wade's new off-road vehicle.

Both Luke and Gary had at least some warm gear with them and were busy trying to read the course map.

There is only a rough path behind the pub before the desolate moor rolls down to the very edge of the Rochdale canal.

Once the race had begun, the runners disappeared from view within a few seconds, into the lashing rain and pushed by a gale force wind behind them.

It was almost 30 minutes before the first two runners came down off the ridge, a fast time in such poor conditions. Then, some six places behind, came the black and white squares of a Bury vest.

Luke ran a superb race in conditions he can never have raced in before (anything but a fell race would have been called off.

Back onto the path, and Luke pushed hard to catch another place.

Now Gary became visible, picking up speed as he came down the ride, losing his hat in the process, and catching up on the runners ahead of him as he sprinted to the finish. Geoff Hignett was the final club member to finish.

As usual at the fell races they have attended, both Luke and Gary won prizes, although there was some query about Gary's age group as he does look older.

The talk at the bar was of how well these two lads from Bury had done, and that was from Jim Smith, ex-Bury AC, and Bill Smith -- two of the most knowledgeable fell runners in the country.

They were both pleased to see the two young local runners do exceptionally well in what is a tough and demanding sport.

BURY AC

Luke Harreld, eighth place 34.28; Gary Crowshaw, 11th place 34.41; Geoff Hignett, 30th place, 41.49.