EAST Lancashire athletes dominated the older age groups at a windy and cold Ogden Moor fell race.

Pete McWade and Ken Taylor locked horns yet again as they fought for victory in the over-50s class. The result was the same as in recent races, a win for Clayton's McWade over Rossendale's Taylor. Clayton also won a battle with Rossendale for third with Barry Mitchell clear of Barry Rawlinson.

Clayton were close to sweeping the board in the over-60s category. Ross Jacques and Doug Brown were first and second and Bill Smith was fourth. Rossendale did win one category through Jean Rawlinson, the top over 45 lady.

Such was the measure of their performances, that only two local athletes were ahead of the leading over-50s - Steve Sweeney from Bowland Fell Runners was fifth, and Clayton's Dave Walker was eighth. In a field of 170, there were top 30 finishes for Paul Targett (Clayton), Gary Taylor (Darwen Dashers), Dave Holt (Rossen- dale) and Shaun Addison (Clayton).

The event is one of the most scenic in the calendar. After the start the runners climb away from Ogden Reservoir on to the moor before crossing Ogden Clough and Skirden Clough and passing the Withens Inn, at 1550ft, the highest pub in West Yorkshire.

It skirts the wind farm before heading to Haigh Cote dams. After joining the Calderdale Way, this year the going got really heavy with the runners sinking ankle deep into the mud.

At the beginning Paul Dobson and Gary Oldfield immediately broke away from the rest of the field and managed to stay in front for the entire race. In site of the finish they were still together, but Dobson's superior strength eventually won the day.

Carol Greenwood was first lady, and having also won at Ovenden, she leads the South Pennines Grand Prix after two races. Men's leader, after his fourth place, is veteran Steve Oldfield. With 12 races in the series and eight to count, there is still time to enter. Next race is the White Holme Circular at Littleborough on Saturday, February 27. It is 15 miles long, and the organiser tells me that it is more like a cross country than true fell face. Results: 1 Paul Dobson (Leeds) 35:37, 2 Gary Oldfield (Pudsey and Bramley) 35:48, 3 Rob Hope (u/a) 36:14, 4 (first vet) Steve Oldfield (Bradford) 36:52, 5 Steve Sweeney (Bowland FR) 37:21. Ladies: 1 Carol Greenwood (Bingley).

East Lancs: Clayton: 8 Dave Walker 38:07, 12 Pete McWade 38:45, 23 Paul Targett 40:26, 29 Shaun Addison 41:24, 34 Barry Mitchell 42:12, 46 Dave Hindle 43:41, 73 Francis Judge 46:37, 75 Ross Jacques 46:47, 96 Peter Costello 49:01, 98 Doug Brown 49:19, 120 Linda Bostock 51:48, 121 Michael Frost 51:48, 125 Vincent Broderick 52:09, 138 David Bailey 55:02, 140 Derrick Brown 55:20, 161 Bill Smith 60:54, 162 Kieron Ashworth 63:00, 165 John Francis 64:21.

Rossendale: 15 Ken Taylor 39:09, 26 Dave Holt 41:01, 32 Andy Lee 42:09, 39 Chris White 42:53, 44 Keith Masser 43:12, 50 Barry Rawlinson 44:07, 78 Peter Nuttall 46:55, 87 Jean Rawlinson 48:42, 132 Michael Ferguson 53:56, 147 Jim Goodwin 57:01.

Darwen Dashers: 24 Gary Taylor 40:46, 33 Neil Holding 42:10.

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