THE North West's most prolific race organiser has declared that it will be business as usual this year after initial fears that new regulations could decimate his calendar.

Andy O' Sullivan from Rochdale Harriers has been promoting events in the Rochdale and Littleborough area for 19 years and puts on over 30 races in a typical year.

As well as providing an unrivalled service for the region's athletes, all of his races are none profit making and over the years have raised huge amounts of money for local charities.

To date the figure is well into six figures and his achievements have been recognised officially with the award of the British Empire Medal.

To put on an event promoters should apply for a permit from the North of England Athletic Association, and when granted £10 million worth of insurance underwrites the race.

Formerly a police permit was also required, but although both the police and the local authority should still be consulted, now the responsibility is falling more on the shoulders of the organisers.

Indeed, if the police are needed on the day for marshalling duties, the organisers will be charged at overtime rates believed to be around £40 per man hour.

Andy, a retired policeman himself, thought that this would curtail his activities to about six races a year, but happily he has found that he can still administer races safely and legally with a reduced police presence.

Over the winter months governing bodies such as UK Athletics and the British Triathlon Association have been running risk management courses for would-be race organisers.

They teach promoters to carry out a full risk assessment of their event, and to reduce risk to acceptable levels.

This may involve extra warning signs, more manpower or re routing. It also includes provision of appropriate medical cover the importance of which was illustrated by Tony Croft's life being saved at Clitheroe a year ago by speedy access to expert care and state of the art equipment.

The permit is effectively an athletes guarantee, but there are concerns in the sport that races are still taking place outside the jurisdiction of the NOEAA. These are often marketed as fun runs and will not display a permit number on the entry form.

Andy's second promotion of the year on Sunday was a five mile road and trail race which climbed the moors over Littleborough before descending past the scenic Hollingworth Lake.

As usual Clayton Harriers were well represented at the sharp end packing four athletes into the top ten.

In-form Roger Brewster was the winning veteran taking the M45 title in 27:55 over two minutes clear of team-mate Paul Brannon who took M40 honours in 30:02.

Between Roger in fourth spot and Paul 10th, Lee Passco finished eighth with orienteering specialist Paul Targett ninth.

Race winner was Horwich Harrier Jason Hodgson as Linda Crabtree took the ladies title for the Halifax club.

Todmorden's M45 veteran Keith Parkinson finished third in class while Rossendale's highest finisher was David Murphy who was 22nd.

Blackburn Road Runners Anne Harwood and Freda Southworth finished together after battling all the way in the F55 division.

Anne competed in last year's World Triathlon Championship after cash raised at one of Andy's races helped to finance her trip.

Andy ran in his own race as he always does, but the event was a poignant one for him as it was in memory of his 25-year-old nephew David Cole who died of a brain tumour in November.

David's mum Una was on hand to present the prizes and around £700 was raised to send leukaemia sufferer Daniel Berry for treatment in America.