NO race typifies the Easter weekend better than the historic Rivington Pike Fell Race which dates back to 1892.

Five years ago came the 50th anniversary of the modern open race and this year, after three successive victories, British champion Rob Hope was in with a shout of equalling Paul Dugdale’s tally of six in the post war era.

Instead the 2006 winner Tom Cornthwaite won it for Blackburn Harriers, and with their recent signing Ricky Lightfoot eclipsing Hope for second by four seconds, the Harriers took the team prize too after Josh Tighe made fifth.

Dugdale was the winning over-40 veteran in eighth while the in-form Matt Nuttall was third in class also for Blackburn, and Darwen’s Horwich RMI Harrier Graham Schofield won the over 50s.

Beckie Taylor was the leading U17 as well as being third woman behind Leigh’s Laura Riches. Jackie Redmayne was seventh and second over-40 for Chorley Harriers, while Rossendale’s Karen Taylor in ninth won the over 50.

There was a clash of events this year with the Pendle Race also falling on Easter Saturday, and the junior races there are becoming a real featur. The exceptional Elizabeth Greenwood, Blackburn Harriers, demonstrated her prowess by beating all-comers in the U12s.

There were a few familiar names in action too, notably Isaac Wilkinson, the son of Clayton stalwart Garry, second in the U8 boys’ list.

Pendle AC were out in force too on home territory with Ella and Kia Atkins, Matthew Barnes, Tiarnan Corken and James Marchant all making top three positions as did the Williamsons from Rossendale – Shauna and Leah, and Blackburn’s Pearse family Esme and Polly.