AARON Hargreaves of Trafford recorded his second victory in Sunday's Burnley Fire Brigade seven-mile road race, after easing away from Roger Brewster in the last two miles.

Hyndburn's Neil Tatterall was third. For Hargreaves, who went to school in Burnley and still lives locally, it was a welcome return to competition after taking time out on becoming a father. Although the course is difficult, the sun shone on the 189 runners, and Hargreaves admitted to running easily throughout the race. Winning veteran Brewster (second) spearheaded Clayton's challenge, Paul Brannon (sixth) was runner-up in the M40 class, and Andrew Stubbs and Andy Payne were fifth and ninth respectively. Peter Butterworth, 12th outright was second M45 behind Blackburn Harrier Evan Cook (seventh).

Other Clayton winners were Christine Leathley (L50) and Kitty Garnett (L60), while Tina Lewis was second L35.

Todmorden Harriers were also out in force. Sean Willis, who was with the leaders in the early stages, was best placed in fourth, but the club's veterans were their real stars. Anthony Shaw won the over 60 category, Brian Hargreaves and John Newby were the top two M65's and for the ladies Sue Becconsall was second L40, with Pat Collier and Irene Long second and third L50s.

Rossendale Harriers had only three entrants, but were well placed. Thornton Taylor, ninth overall was third M40, Graham Smith was second M50 and Eric Duffy third M55. Janet Pound of Chorley Athletic Club was third L40 while 'Bahrain Barry' Shackleton of Darwen Dashers, home on leave and enjoying Lancashire's cool air ran 44.40.

There was also a race within a race for fire service personnel. Winner was Eric Ranicar of Bolton whose time of 41.07 was the fastest in the M50 category. Thanks in part to the generous help of long-term sponsor Smurfit, the race made a substantial surplus so the Fire Service Benevolent Fund will receive £500, and the Pendle Hospice £200. After his win in February's Habergham Eight, Aaron Hargreaves revealed that he had promised fiancee Danielle that he would have a tattoo of a cheetah on his leg if he was beaten. It has proved to be a great incentive to keep winning, and he is still without tattoo. His next race is the cross country at Hyndburn on Sunday where Pendle ace Lee McCash is expected to line up against him.

Results - Men: 1 Aaron Hargreaves (Trafford) 37.39, 2 (1st M40) Roger Brewster (Clayton) 38.24, 3 Neil Tattersall (Hyndburn) 38.50, 4 Sean Willis (Todmorden) 39.03, 5 Andrew Stubbs (Clayton) 39.09, 6 (2nd M40) Paul Brannon (Clayton) 39.20, 7 (first M45) Evan Cook (Blackburn Harriers) 39.22, 8 Andy Payne (Clayton) 39.24, 9 (3rd M40) Thornton Taylor (Rossendale) 40.15.

Ladies: 1 Sara Carson (Blengdale), 2 (1st L40) Joan Jackson (Northern Vets) 44.30, 3 (2nd L40) Sue Becconsall (Todmorden) 45.28, 4 (3rd L40) Janet Pound (Chorley Harriers) 48.24, 5 Alison Reece (Todmorden) 49.02, 7 (2nd L35) Tina Lewis (Clayton) 49.40.

Fire Service competition: 1 (1st M50) Eric Ranicar (Bolton) 41.07, 2 Alan Metcalf (Preston) 41.14, 3 (1st M55) Dave Waywell (Blackpool) 43.40. Local (good for age) - Clayton: 11 Graham Cunliffe 40.29, 12 (2nd M45) Peter Butterworth 40.33, 14 Alan Clarkson 40.57, 19 John Wieczorek 41.11, 28 Steve Green 43.35, 44 Jeffrey Pickup 45.10, 52 Robert Russell 46.18, 108 Dany Robson 52.20, 149 (1st L50) Christine Leathley 56.33, 167 (1st L60) Kitty Garnett 61.31.

Todmorden: 15 Paul Brannigan 41.03, 26 Derek Donohue 43.22, 35 Keith Parkinson 44.17, 39 Alan Mellor 44.34, 43 Jerry Dodd 44.57, 57 Bohuslay Barlow 46.53, 64 (1st M60) Anthony Shaw 47.31, 150 (1st M65) Brian Hargreaves 57.10, 154 (2nd M65) John Newby 58.00, 161 (2nd L50) Pat Collier 59.59, 163 (3rd L50) Irene Long 60.33, 166 Jim Smith 61.19.

Rossendale: 21 (2nd M50) Graham Smith 42.08, 62 (3rd M55), Eric Duffy 47.25.

Burnley: 13 Mick Lister 40.54. Chorley Harriers: 17 Mark Schooling 41.06.

Pendle: 27 Mark Doney 43.32. Darwen Dashers: 40 Barry Shackleton 44.40. Huncoat Harriers: 72 Geoff Balfour 48.45. Blackburn RR: 91 John Mitchell 50.48. Accrington RR: 131 Gill Craske 53.58.

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