THREE members of Clayton-le-Moors Harriers missed the chance to collect their English Fell Championship medals last week because of a prior appointment running in the Everest Marathon.

Garry Wilkinson and Mark Brown were members of the winning over 40 veterans' team, while Pete Booth was a silver medallist in the over 50 team.

The presentations were made at the Fell Runners Association Annual Dinner Dance held in Kendal.

Clayton's over 40 veterans called on a total of 14 athletes to contribute to their success with Mike Wallis, Ian Greenwood, Steve Whitaker, Andrew Blackett, Mark Aspinall, Mark Nutter, Tim Edward and Pete Browning all scoring for the team. Four members of the over 50 squad also placed high enough in the races to score for both teams, namely Kieran Carr, Dave Farnworth, Andrew Robinson and Jack Holt while Richard Bellaries also registered for the over 50s.

Clayton's veteran 40s succeeded Bowland Fell Runners as national champions, as they took the silver medal this time around. Steve Sweeney, Quentin Harding, Shaun Livesey, Nick Hewitt, Clive Davis, Leigh Warburton maintained the pressure on Clayton throughout the summer while the team was bolstered by Mike Wyatt, Chris Reade and Lee Dowthwaite over the closing rounds.

Individual medal winners included Rob Hope from Wheelton who shared the senior men's title with Simon Bailey and Clayton duo Maureen Laney and Wendy Dodds, first and second over 50s. Laney was also third in the over 40s.

Kieran Carr was the over 60 winner, once again for Clayton, and Todmorden Harriers enjoyed a great season. Moyra Parfitt was the over 60 women's champion after winning all four races and Derek Clutterbuck was second over 70.

Chris Smale just missed a medal taking fourth in the over 40s a position matched by Rossendale's Geoff Fielding in the over 60s. Bowland 's highest finisher was Nick Hewitt, fifth over 50.

l The Everest Marathon Presentation Concert will be held at St Peter's Church in Burnley on December 11 at 7.30pm.