Flage out of this world in Moonraker

IT was a good day at the office for eight Oldham and Royton Harriers athletes in the Moonraker 10k race.

Owen Flage was the first Harrier to finish in 18th place, recording a time of 37 minutes 42 seconds in the event at Bowlee, Middleton.

Pete Williams and Darren Mannings battled out another good race over a tough, hilly route, with the former finally getting away over the last 4k to finish 60th, in 42:26. Mannings came home strongly in 66th place in 43:05.

He was followed by Sandrine Fraisse, 97th in 46:14, Alistair Mallen, 138th in 50:46, Maggie Elliott, 150th in 57:42, Sara Bott, 166th in 54:04 and Brent Armistead, whose 55.46 earned her 177th place.

The men’s team were seventh overall, while the women came fourth.

In the Ian Terry 5k in Littleborough, Mannings was the fastest Harrier, claiming 44th place in 22:20.

Graham Hook was next home for the club, recording 22.53 to come 50th, before Maggie Elliot set a new personal best for 5k, clinching 71st place in 24.54.

Williams was just behind in 24.55, while Grace Atherton was 98th in 27.15.

On the track, Oldham and Royton’s young athletes topped a superb season adding the fourth match to the three they won previously for a clean sweep in the league.

It confirmed Harriers’ promotion in the UK Athletics Young Athletes’ League.