"A MODEST little man from Accrington who took on the world and beat them all."

That was how master of ceremonies Andy O'Sullivan introduced Ron Hill at the Everest Ball and Dinner Dance on Friday Night.

It wasn't even the greatest accolade the former Olympic athlete and former world record holder received last week though, as rank and file club runners from across the region swarmed to the tiny town of Littleborough for the Ron Hill Birthday Race on Thursday.

The 67-year-old pensioner is held in such esteem that he is still a big draw in the sport and 200 runners - triple the usual number for a race over that course - took the opportunity to race five kilometres with their hero.

How fitting it was that an athlete from his home town club, Accrington Road Runners, was the leading East Lancashire man.

Graham Collinge was the winning veteran, taking fourth outright in 16:44. Veteran Jennifer Adams was the first of Accrington's women in 22:45.

Many of Rossendale Harriers' young squad were not even born when Hill was in his pomp, but they put on a show with at least seven of them setting personal best times on a far from flat circuit not known for quick times.

Paul Wadsworth headed them home and fifth in 16:59 to give him the junior title. Anthony Gotts was 13th in 17:47, Phil Bolton in 14th was third junior in 17:48 while Shane Russell took 22nd in 18:12.

At just 12-years-old, Emma Flanagan was second woman behind Halifax Harrier Sarah Lannelly clocking 20:30 for 57th place overall as Katie Ireland finished another 14 seconds back to make it a one-two for Dale in the junior standings.

Another 12-year-old, Dominic Walton, flew round in 19:22 in only his second road race since joining the Harriers in June.

Graeme Holden was Blackburn Harriers' first finisher with tenth in 17:37 while the excellent Evan Cook took the over 50 honours with 18th in 18:03.

Hill's former club Bolton finished first and second with Ian Bowles and Chris Busaileh while his current team mates from Clayton-le-Moors Harriers provided a guard of honour, circulating in just under 25 minutes.

While Ron's competitive streak may have been held in check, there were no such inhibitions from his son Graham who finished 12th on the night.

The proceeds of the evening will provide a Chistmas meal for Rochdale's homeless as well as contributions for alzheimer's sufferers and for the Children of Chernobyl.

l Following the Everest Ball and Dinner Dance on Friday Evening, the Mount Everest Marathon Team from Clayton-le-Moors Harriers will announce the final total raised after their return from the big race.

They will be away from November 2 until November 27.

Meanwhile they have announced that there will be one more fund raiser.

Towneley High School's Brass Band and the Nelson Junior Civic Choir will join forces to stage a concert at St Peter's Church in Burnley on December 12.