SMURFIT Paper and Board Mills of Burnley sponsored the revived Blackpool Marathon this year, and together with organiser Ron McAndrew have secured the future of the race for five years.

As part of the project, company employees competed for the Smurfit Cup. The inaugural winner was Gary Wilkinson of Smurfit Burnley who beat all the other Smurfit runners and came 12th overall out of over 500 runners with a time of 2:51.52.

Runners were encouraged to raise sponsorship for Smurfit's Millennium Fund Charity to aid local projects and charities including Burnley's Fight Against Drugs and Christies Against Cancer. The fund is still open and donations can be sent to: Smurfit Millennium Charity, Calder Vale, Burnley BB12 OEJ.

Al Hodson ran the Robin Hood Marathon on his 73rd birthday with six of his colleagues from Accrington Road Runners. Al, who logged 4hrs 25mins was joined by Adrian Fearnley 3:22, John Howarth 3:26, Jimmy Smithson 3:28, Harry Haseley 3:50, Mick Leeming 3:54 and Peter Blackledge 4:21.

The club hired a coach for the trip to Nottingham and 20 other club members took part in the half marathon, with Sarah Collinge completing her first ever half in two hours. Adrian Fearnley's son David took part in the fun run and was fifth in a field of over 600 runners. Three Clayton Harriers ran the Marathon, Andy Payne in his first road marathon returned 2:50 for 17th position, former British veteran champion Alan Clarkson ran 2:58 as part of his preparation for the Manchester race this weekend, and Barry Breckell clocked 3:19.

Half Marathon - Accrington RR: Geoff Biscomb 1.2, Jo Koman 1.35, Debbie Gowans 1.36, Derek Atheis 1.36, Brian Scully 1.36, Gill Craske 1:44, Sue Pickup 1.45, Joanne Bramley 1.46, Gary Goodwin 1.36, Saul Parker 1.47, Jackie Wright 1.48, Ian Wilcock 1.48, Barbara Bassett 1.57, Dave Heppenstall 1.59, Geoff Haworth 1.59, Alan Waite 1.59, Alison Hope 2.00, Sarah Collinge 2.00, Helen Goodwin 2.01, Cath Walmsley 2.03.

West Pennine: Neil Holding 1:22.35, Peter Demaine 2:02.30.

Red Rose's Willy Garner ran the Edinburgh Marathon, but although conditions were ideal he was suffering from a cold and at eight miles resolved to walk a bit each mile. The walks must have been very short as Willy recorded 2:58.52, his first sub-three hour finish.

John Chaplin of Chorley Harriers also beat the three-hour mark, his 2:45 was one of the three PB's by the team as Stephanie Brits recorded 3:39 and Jeanette Coleman 3:14. Jeanette's performance was a 27 minute improvement on her previous best.

Jon Bell logged 3.25 and Janet Chaplin 3.44. Alison Wyeth of Parkside, Burnley AC's former coach, was trying for the Olympic qualifying time of 2:35, but disappointingly was just outside, her 2:38.26 placing her fifth lady.

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