THE Darwen Biathlon takes place on Sunday November 25. Comprising of a half mile swim at Darwen Leisure Centre followed by a five mile run on roads and tracks the race can be entered by individuals or teams of two. Entry forms are available at local leisure centres or from Watsons Solicitors at 33 Railway Road, Darwen. Closing date for entries is November 19.

Lee's Ghent up and go!

LEE McCash and Neil Tattersall were the first two finishers for the six strong North of England Team in the Fortis Cross Cup at Ghent on Sunday.

In a select field of 71, Sale Harrier Lee, from Barnoldswick, finished 23rd completing the 9830m course in 30:21.

In only his first year as a senior, Lee finished ahead of one of the full England team members to earn praise from Northern selector Robbie Wood.

Less than a minute behind in 31:06, Neil, from Pendle AC, placed 34th reversing his defeat by Lancaster's Eddie Simpson in the first round of the Mid Lancs League at Liverpool.

Callum's third

HYNDBURN Athletic Club's Callum Fitzpatrick took third place in the second round of the Reebok Cross Challenge.

Running in the boy's under 13's race at Senneleys Park in Birmingham, his time of 12:45 was just 17 seconds off the pace.

Danielle Walker was ninth in the girls under 13's as a trio of Burnley athletes made the trip south. Chris Hart was 24th in the under 17 boys, while Emma Graham was 34th under 15 girl.

Preston Harrier Helen Pattinson impressed in the senior ladies event finishing second to Liverpool winner Liz Yelling of Bedford.

Key to success

MERVYN Keys and Phil Taylor were the leading veteran pairing at the Karrimor International Mountain Marathon which was held at the Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park near Glasgow.

Competing in the Medium Score Class they took second overall less than four minutes behind the winners after eleven hours running spread over two days. In Class 'A', Clayton's Veteran English Fell Champion Wendy Dodds, partnered by Alan Duncan, were the first mixed veteran team home.

Manchester Games

The first phase of ticket sales for next summer's Commonwealth Games in Manchester closes in a week. Up to and including November 15 you can order online by logging on to the website www.commonwealthgames.com. Alternatively you can collect a ticket order form from Asda. If an event is oversubscribed your application will be entered into a lottery. The Games take place from 25th July to 4th August.

Geoff's news

ACCRINGTON Road Runner Geoff Snape ran in last Sunday's New York Marathon. The crowds saw a great race with Tesfaye Jifar of Ethiopia and Margaret Okayo from Kenya setting new course records. Geoff, who has completed around 40 marathons, finished in 4:25.