TRACK and country star Dave Lewis took on two of fell running's big guns at the Hades Hill fell race and almost pulled off an unlikely win.

The Bingley pair of Steve Hawkins and Mark Kinch have between them won three British championships, and so it was no surprise that Kinch led in the early stages. However, he faded to finish over a minute off the pace, with Hawkins winning the 5.5-miler in 28:44, narrowly ahead of Lewis' 29:00.

With no other Bingley runner among the leaders, Lewis led Rossendale to team victory with support from Martin Lee (5th), Nick Hatchard (7th) and Gary Sumner (12th). In a field of 134, Vanessa Peacock, of Clayton Harriers, was 29th in 35:48, landing her a double of first lady and first veteran. Jean Rawlinson was the runner up to Peacock in the L45 age group.

Results - Men: 1 Steve Hawkins (Bingley) 28:44; 2 Dave Lewis (Rossendale) 29:00; 3 Mark Kinch (Bingley) 30:03; 4 Graham Patten (Pudsey and Bramley) 30:57; 5 Martin Lee (Rossendale) 31:26; 6 Simon Fairhurst (Trafford) 32:03; 7 Nick Hatchard (Rossendale) 32:05; 12 Gary Sumner (Rossendale) 33:12; 18 Dave Naughton (Accrington RR) 34:34; 21 Mark Nutter (Clayton) 34:49; 30 Dave Holt (Rossendale) 35:50; 31 Craig Wolfenden (Rossendale) 36:25; 35 Keith Masser (Rossendale) 36:52; 40 Andy Fell (Rossendale) 37:31.

Ladies: 29th overall, 1st lady and 1st veteran Vanessa Peacock (Clayton) 35:48; 79, 2nd L45 Jean Rawlinson (Rossendale) 41:04.

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