Andy's a man for all seasons

The result underlined the recent superb form of Clayton Harrier Andy Black who proved that he is a man for all seasons by completing victories in consecutive weeks in sharply contrasting conditions.

First he had battled against the heat to win the Pendle Challenge, and now it was torrential rain that was the handicap.

Former England International Shaun Livesey, who won the Colne 10K in June, provided the main opposition restricting the margin to half a minute, as Andy completed the undulating course in 32:55. In third, Thornton Taylor of Rossendale was the leading veteran in 33:37 while fourth man Peter Butterworth won the M45 title for Clayton Harriers.

In fact Clayton men won every age group above M40 with Peter Booth, Barry Mitchell, Ted Orrell and Brian Leathley the other victors.

Like Black, Spenborough's Kath Drake repeated her Pendle win at Cliviger, finishing 20th outright, two and a half minutes clear of Anne Sweeney from the North Fylde club.

One of the closest battles was the dice for third resolved in favour of Jemma Short from the Clayton pair Melinda Wilkinson-Walsh and Dany Robson. The three were covered by less than ten seconds.

Jean Rawlinson of Rossendale picked up another F50 title while Todmorden's Pat Collier proved unbeatable in the F55's.

Only four of the twelve races in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix survived this year because of the foot and mouth outbreak, and the GP itself was aborted.

Organiser Eric Wrathall drew attention to the difficulties race promoters have had this season. He said: "Although we were highly delighted with the entries despite the weather, the race was made possible only by our generous sponsors Keith Walton Brickwork Ltd and Shanks Landfill of Cliviger."