Harriers Vets in gold rush

THREE Oldham and Royton Harriers athletes returned from the Northern Vets Championships with nine gold medals.

Paula Booth struck gold in the javelin, triple jump and 300m hurdles — in which she set a new championship record — and also took bronze in the long jump.

Sharon Harper won the shot putt, discus and hammer, while Colin Allen claimed gold in the same three events.

On the roads, Oldham’s athletes were out in force for the Ron Hill 71st Birthday 5k event in Littleborough.

They were led home by Darren Mannings, who set a personal best of 21 minutes 14 seconds. He was closely followed by Sandrine Fraisse, who also posted a pb of 21:19.

Others: Pete Williams crossed the line in 23:29, and he was followed by Mike Smith (24:33), Robert Smith (24:34), Karl Smith (24:35), Tony Morrison (25:49), Jack Morrison (26:32), Natalie Mannings (27:14) and Carole Morrison (31:13).

Jason Horsfield ws the first Harriers athlete to cross the line in the hilly Macclesfield Half Marathon. In his first attempt at the distance, he recorded 1:37:32 and was followed by Pete Williams (1:38:35), Sandrine Fraisse (pb 1:38:59) and Sara Bott (1:52:13).

LEADING a field of 28 athletes from Royton Road Runners, Stuart Carroll recorded a time of 18 minutes and 19 seconds for the Ron Hill 5k, just ahead of Dave Kershaw (18:20).

Other finishers: Bernard Goodwin (18:49), Paul Whitehead (19:03), Bernard Cassidy (19:07), Michael Harrison (19:36), David Emanuel (19:38), Colin Green (19:43), Brian Lawton (19:45), Dave Whittam (20:15), John Higgins (20:23), Eamonn Nolan (20:33), Chris Eavers (20:51), James Trollope (21:04), Robert Kellett (21:18), John Williamson (21:28), James Holdaway (22:03), Mark Kelly (22:04), John Sweeney (22:18), Debbie Shaw (22:40), Shane Reading (23:04), John Lambe (25:02), Tony Hunking (25:37) and Neil Barker (27:07).

New members running in the Royton colours for the first time were: Valerie Kilburn (25:02), Ronnie Quinn (25:29), Jenny Newell (32:05) and Sarah Jane Stott (32:15).