YOUNG runners got the chance to take part in Rossendale Harriers' first ever junior fell race on a day when veteran runner Paul Sanderson competed in his 31st consecutive run.

For while junior athletes raced in the inaugural under 16s, 14s and 12s sections, Sanderson maintained his remarkable record of having run in every race since it started in 1969 - eventhough he now races for Telford!

Sanderson, who is originally from Rossendale Valley, was 15th male 40 veteran home in the senior field with a time of 2 hours 7 minutes 8 seconds. The 12-mile race attracted a total of 113 runners which was eventually won by Mark Kinch of Bingley Harriers in a time of 1hr 36 mins 51 secs.

Last year's winner Andy Wrench of Todmorden pushed him all the way before having to settle for second spot in a time of 1hr 37 mins 24 secs while Martin Lee was the first Rossendale runner home when his time of 1hr 41 mins 24 secs was good enough for third place.

Thornton Taylor, also of Rossendale, was the first male 40 veteran runner home when he finished in fifth place overall with a time of 1hr 46mins 28secs. And Brian Schofield of Todmorden was the first male 50 veteran runner home with a time of 1hr 48mins 2secs. Fellow Todmorden runner Sue Becconsall was the first female 40 veteran home when she finished in 47th position with a time of 2hrs 8mins 6secs. And despite coming last in the field, Patricia Collier made sure it was a good day for Todmorden when she was the first and only female 50 veteran home in a time of 3hrs 32mins.

However it was the junior section that was most pleasing for race organisers and now after a successful day, the club are planning to make it a permanent fixture on the race calendar.

The performance of the day had to go to Robert Entwistle from Blackburn who won the under 12s boys section when he completed the strenuous two mile course quicker than any other junior runner with a time of 15mins 6secs.

Entwistle beat Rossendale pair Ramiro Meeks and and Nick Daunt into second and third place.

Lee Leishman won the under 14s boys section with a time of 19mins 50secs and his sister Nicola made sure it was a family double when she was first girls under 12s home with a time of 18mins 17secs. Adam Godwin secured Rossendale's third junior win when he was first in the under 14s section with a time of 20mins 20secs.

International sprinter Rebecca White, who is a member of the Blackburn Harriers, handed out the prizes.

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