AFTER enjoying a successful career at Habergham High School, during which time he won a place at Salford University and played football for Burnley Schoolboys, Aaron Hargreaves went back on Sunday and won their eight mile road race.

It was an ambition realised for a young man who had trained specifically for this event. Ironically, the greatest threat to 20-year-old Hargreaves came from two 40 somethings, Alex Rowe of Wesham Road Runners and Clayton's Roger Brewster.

The race got away to its customary quick start as the road falls towards Padiham, but because of the strong winds some of the major contenders held back, and there was still a large leading group after the first mile.

By the time they reached Altham, at about 2.5 miles, the eventual top four were at the front with Rowe leading. A sharp left turn marked the start of a two mile climb which is often the decisive part of the race.

At about three miles, Brewster began to fall away and at the same time Hargreaves made his move. Although Rowe stuck to his task in second place, the gap was six or seven seconds by the time they reached the top of the hill, and this remained constant during the run back to Burnley.

As they turned off with about three quarters of a mile to go, they hit a headwind, Hargreaves increased his pace, Rowe tired, and the race was over. Roger Brewster followed them home a minute adrift.

There were no team prizes on this occasion, but with four in the top ten, Clayton were top dogs. Supporting Brewster's third position were Andrew Black (5th), Andrew Hartley (8th) and Anthony Waterworth (10th). Veteran Peter Butterworth was close behind in 19th spot. John Barker was runner up in the over 60s.

Todmorden were out in numbers. Fell expert Sean Willis (4th) was their best with Jon Wright 12th and Karl Smith 18th. Anthony Shaw won the over 60s and Brian Schofield was third over 50. Blackburn Harrier Philip Hall had a great run for seventh and his team mate Eric Wilson was first over 45. Accrington Road Runners Brian Scully and Vincent O'Rourke each took third places, Brian in the over 60s and Vincent in the over 65s.

There was an exceptional result from Graham Smith of Rossendale. Not only did he win the over 50 class, but he also beat the over 45 winner. Phil Taylor was third over 40 and 11th overall. Rochdale's Dave Edge was second over 55.

The winning lady was over 40 veteran Karen Slater from Kelbrook. Running for Keighley and Craven AC she recorded 49:56 to win by over two minutes from Sue Becconsall from Todmorden who was first over 35. Third was Debbie Gowans of Accrington, just ahead of Alison Martin from Clayton.

Teresa Smith of Blackburn Harriers won the over 55s, Clayton Harriers' Christine Lewis and Maureen Ashton were second over 35 and third over 45. Karen Taylor (Rossendale) was second over 40, Sue Pickup (Accrington RR) second over 45, and Irene Long (Todmorden) second over 50.

With the race attracting over 360 runners, schools funds will benefit by over £1,000. Results

Overall: Men: Aaron Hargreaves (Trafford) 41:57; 2 (1st vet) Alex Rowe (Weshem) 42:14, 3 (2nd vet) Roger Brewster (Clayton) 43:10, 4 Sean Willis (Todmorden) 43:22, 5 Andrew Black (Clayton) 43:35, 7 Philip Hall (Blackburn Harriers) 43:53, 8 Andrew Hartley (Clayton) 44:24, 10 Anthony Waterworth (Clayton) 44:39, 11 (3rd vet) Phil Taylor (Rossendale 44:49, 12 Jon Wright (Todmorden) 44:53.

Women: 1 Karen Slater (Keighley and Craven) 49:56, 2 Sue Becconsall (Todmorden) 52:18, 3 Debbie Gowans (Accrington RR) 53:03, 4 Alison Martin (Clayton) 53:26.

Local (good for age): Todmorden: 18 Karl Smith 45:32, 32 Andrew Horsfall 47:00, 34 Jose Hemandez 47:05, 43 Brian Schofield 48:08, 62 Keith Parkinson 49:59, 64 S Brandwood 50:14, 67 Alan Mellor 50:17, 125 Anthony Shaw 54:18, 242 Mandy Goth 61:23, 267 Shelley Sandiford 63:10, 346 Irene Long 74:54.

Clayton: 19 Peter Butterworth 46:02, 23 Brian Horrocks 46:21, 27 Jason Harbour 46:39, 30 Steve Taylor 46:56, 39 Alan Clarkson 47:25, 40 Sean Clare 47:43, 44 Michael O'Rourke 48:14, 45 C Giltrol-Shaw 48:29, 57 Steve Green 49:31, 70 Simon Clarke 50:28, 80 Jack Windle 51:28, 103 Robert Russell 53:21, 144 John Barker 56:17, 154 Christine Lewis 56:49, 166 J Blackfall 57:32, 172 Dany Robson 57:45, 211 Alison Smith 59:52, 222 Sue Middleton 60:20, 227 Roger Dearden 60:48, 275 Maureen Ashton 64:01, 306 Christine Leathley 67:33.

Rossendale: 21 Graham Smith 46:14, 153 Karen Taylor 56:47, 182 Julie Leary 58:12.

Blackburn Harriers: 22 Eric Wilson 46:15, 58 George Davies 49:35, 291 Teresa Smith 65:30.

Accrington RR: 28 Nigel Wolstenholme 46:40, 35 Adrian Fearnley 47:13, 47 Ian Hamilton 48:51, 66 Terry Robinson 50:16, 147 Brian Scully 56:26, 206 Harry Haseley 59:30, 225 Jane Grundy 60:42, 231 George Newton 61:01, 255 Gill Craske 62:20, 263 Sue Pickup 63:04, 292 Alison Hope 65:42, 358 Vincent O'Rourke 84:07.

Pendle: 77 James Brady 51:20.

Rochdale: 89 Dave Edge 52:21.

Darwen Dashers: 100 Roy Ashcroft 53:09.

Blackburn RR: 158 Brian Shaw 57:14, 230 Sandra Snape 60:53, 295 Brenda Fullard 66:16.

Royal Engineers: 260 Sheila Gudgeon 62:44.

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