RUNNERS from across East Lancashire and further afield headed for the hills of Darwen to pay tribute to a young athlete who tragically died from a heart condition while taking part in a road race five years ago.

The Darwen Dashers have hosted the gruelling David Staff Memorial five mile fell race ever since and club members joined Emmerdale's Eric Pollard - alias Christopher Chittell - in a field of 184 competitors for the climb to Darwen Tower.

Chittell, a keen road runner, said it was the first time he had taken to fell running and, judging by his reaction, he will be back for more.

The 900 foot climb from The Kiosk in Sunnyhurst Woods to the Tower is as tough as they come but the Dashers had plenty to cheer about when Richard Thomas finished as runner up in a time of 34 minutes 16 seconds.

Thomas finished behind Paul Dobson of Leeds City who made the trip across the Pennines to come in first in 33 mins 58 secs.

At the other end of the scale, the Dashers also took the first female 60 prize thanks to founder member Maureen Roberts.

Despite the high entry of competitors from local clubs, only John Wieczorek of Clayton Harriers managed to break into the top 10 when he finished in eighth place in 35 mins 52 secs.

However all the local clubs featured highly in the prized veteran sections.

Tim Ryan of Blackburn Harriers was the first Male 45 home in 38 mins 32 secs and in 31st position overall.

And Robert Taylor of Darwen-based West Pennine Runners took the Male 50 award when he finished 21st in 37 mins 45 secs. Rossendale's Geoff Fielding claimed 33rd position and first Male 55 in 39 mins 13 secs with John Barker of Clayton Harriers first Male 60 home in 116th position with a time of 47 mins 42 secs.

Mark Emmett of Blackburn Harriers was the first junior male to finish in 29th place in 38 mins 32 secs.

However the event was not just about running as 12 youngsters used the event to go towards their Duke of Edinburgh bronze award.

The club would like to thank Crown Paints of Darwen for sponsoring the event and to all those who turned up to act as marshals.

TOP 20:1 Paul Dobson Leeds City 33.58, 2 Richard Thomas Darwen Dashers 34.16, 3 Robert Green Achille Rat 34.29, 4 David Norman Altrincham 34.30, 5 Chris Seddon Horwich RMI 34.59, 6 Dale Gartley Glossopdale 35.26, 7 Keith Johnston Chorley Harriers 35.31, 8 John Wieczorek Clayton Harriers 35.52, 9 Danny Hope Achille Rat 3614, 10 Richard Crossland Bradford Ai 36.28, 11 P Minshull Manx FRI 36.40, 12 Mark Theaker Accrington 36.41, 13 Dave Woodhead Horwich RMI 36.46, 14 Nick Riding Rossendale Tri 36.54, 15 Steve Mash Clayton Harriers 36.56, 16 Adrian Nicholls, Accrington 37.12, 17 Alan Alty Chorley Harriers 37.26, 18 Angus Fergusson Shetttleston 37.26, 19 Neil Tattersall Hyndburn AC 37.45, 20 Michael Howard Radcliffe AC 37.45

DARWEN DASHERS: 2 Richard Thomas 34.16, 26 Neville Rickard 38.23, 28 Andrew Smith 38.28, 39 Julian Donnelly 39.39, 40 Vince Brookes 39.45, 63 Nigel Dewhurst 42.01, 70 Roy Ashcroft 42.43, 81 Simon Fox 44.06, 86 John Sirkett 44.16, 112 David Shorrock 47.21 CLAYTON HARRIERS: 8 John Wieczorek 35.52, 15 Steve Mash 36.56, 34 John Singleton 39.16, 35 Mark Nutter 39.25, 51 David McMullan 40.48, 60 Andrew Dugdale 41.44, 69 Richard Bellaries 42.32, 73 Robert Russell 43.08, 85 Peter Dugdale 44.15, 89 Lee Pasco 44.39.

ACCRINGTON: 12 Mark Theaker 36.41, 16 Adrian Nicholls 37.12, 92 David Hammer 44.54, 96 Cassie the Dog 45.31, 97 Derek Atheis 45.31, 132 Andy Bailey 50.36

HYNDBURN AC: 19 Neil Tattersall 37.45

WEST PENNINE RUNNERS: 22 Neil Holding 38.03, 104 William Fogg 46.09, 118 Marion Dixon 47.50, 127 Peter James 49.26.

BLACKBURN ROAD RUNNERS: 56 Francis Finnerty 41.25, 143 Ray Moulding 52.24, 148 Sandra Snape 53.53

BLACKBURN HARRIERS: 29 Mark Emmett 38.28, 31 Tim Ryan 38.32, 48 Eric Wilson 40.32, 58 Stuart Furness 41.28, 109 Matthew Wood 47.07, 111 Tony Wood 47.09

PENDLE AC: 46 John Riley 40.19, 50 John Rusius 40.45, 72 John Ramsbottom 43.06

ROSSENDALE TRI: 14 Nick Riding 36 54, Lee Cook 40.16

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.