IT has been a good week for Ben Rusius and Neil Tattersall.

On Friday evening they were the joint winners of the Raymond Wild Trophy at Pendle Athletic Club's Presentation Evening. The award is given to the Athletes' Athlete of the Year.

Ben also took the Male Middle Distance Award and the Jim McElhone Trophy for the top male cross country runner.

Ben demonstrated his prowess over the country less than 24 hours later by finishing the leading Mid Lancs counter in the Under 15 Boys' race at the Reebok Cross Challenge at Liverpool.

He finished ninth overall behind Southend athlete Adam Hickey while Hyndburn AC's Callum Fitzpatrick in 17th was the second league finisher.

Ben is the defending Mid Lancs Under 15 Champion while Neil Tattersall won the Senior Men's category last winter.

Neil matched Ben's performance at Sefton Park by making a winning start to his campaign. He was 26th place overall which gave him victory in the Mid Lancs by a considerable margin.

Chris Hart and Danielle Walker of Burnley Athletic Club were Mid Lancs winners too.

Steeplechase specialist Chris ran 'a very good race' according to club spokesman David Goodwin.

He was up with the leaders in the Under 17 Men's race until the last half mile eventually finishing fifth, less than half a minute behind Reebok winner Anthony Moran.

Danielle was sixth overall in the Under 15s Girls event and with team mate Emma Graham third Mid Lancs finisher and Alexis Walker producing a solid run, the Burnley squad opened with a win.

In the younger age group, Hyndburn's Under 13 Girls were the winning team with Samantha Murray, Leigh Lennon and Natalie Honey.

Under 11: Emma Thompson; Hugo Leaver Cross Country (Jim McElhone Trophy): Laura Finucane, Ben Rusius Under 13 Sprint: Eleanor Markendale, Sam Crabtree (Tommy Jackson Trophy) Under 13 Middle Distance: Jade Hartley, Philip Bacon Under 13 Field: Eleanor Markendale (Renee Jackson Trophy), Sam Crabtree Sprint: Laura Finucane, Nick Hurdles: Nikala Smith, Frankie Vargacz

Middle Distance: Laura Finucane, Ben Rusius Field: Sam White, Amy Weaver, Jason Wade Endeavour: Claire Weaver, Jack Thompson, Stainthorpe Trophy (Mid Lancs League Points): Eleanor Markendale, Matthew Clough, Pendle Open Trophy: Vicki Gorton Athletes' Athlete (Raymond Wild Trophy): Neil Tattersall & Ben Rusius Rotary Club Young Athlete of the Year Trophy: Laura Finucane