Rossendale Harriers' 40th anniversary celebrations got under way last week with the Waugh's Well Fell Race - the first event in the club's Anniversary Midweek Series sponsored by Ultimate Outdoors.

It is most appropriate that the club should mark its 40th birthday in this way because, while the club caters for all the athletic disciplines and was the North West Junior Club of the Year in 2006, it is most famous for fell running.

The Waugh's Well race was started in 1993 and it is a tough little fixture with 1000 feet of climb in only four miles.

This year, there was a record turnout of 46 from the host club, 10 of whom were juniors.

Unsurprisingly, Rossendale took both the men's and women's team prizes, with the men's team being made up exclusively of juniors.

Josh Tighe is still new to fell running, but the under 20 headed their effort with fourth place in 32:40.

Under-18s Grant Cunliffe, fifth in 33:02, and Phil Bolton, 10 seconds and two places further back, backed up.

Women's winner Clare Kenny, who is Dale's Membership Secretary, didn't count for the team as she was running in her Calder Valley colours, but it didn't matter as Sharon McGuire, in second, Davina Raidy sixth and Frances Cooper eighth, saw them home.

Shaun Godsman, of Todmorden, won the race for the first time in 30:46, with Simon Thompson, of Clayton le Moors, just over half a minute behind in second.

Todmorden Harrier Andrew Wrench finished in third, but he saw his race record of 28:55 set back in 1998, remain intact.

Lawrence Sullivan, of Clayton le Moors, did set a new record though, taking 5:45 off the over 70s record, with 45:48, while Sheila McNulty, of Radcliffe, took an incredible 11:28 of the ladies over 60 record.

The Harriers are holding their 40th Anniversary Dinner Dance on Saturday June 30 at Haslingden Cricket Club.

There will be a four-course meal and disco with live entertainment from Motown Band' Boogaloo. Contact James Neary on 01706-213918 for more details. The Anniversary Midweek Fell Series resumes on August 8 with the three remaining consecutive Wednesday races.

They are the Whittle Pike at Cowpe, the Pilgrims Cross at Helmshore and the Golf Ball at Loveclough.