IT WAS a successful weekend for runners and swimmers.

Hyndburn Athletic Club celebrated as their Under 13 girls won the Lancashire County Road Relay Championships at Sefton Park in Liverpool. The trio of Leigh Lennon, Maisie Bonney and Sarah Crossley were taking part in the North West Counties Road Relay Championships. They finished third overall but were the county winner. Each of the girls ran 2000m and Leigh Lennon was one of only two Under 13 girls to run under seven minutes.

  • Meanwhile, Pioneer 79 swimmers finished a stunning second in the Mini League final at Broughton Pool in Manchester. The Mini League is for youngsters from nine to 12 and for many swimmers it was their first ever competition. Adam Braid, 12, won the 75m backstroke and 75m butterfly. Robert Harrison, 11, won in the 50m breaststroke, Hannah Fielding, 10, won the 50m breaststroke and the nine-year-old medley relay team were also victors. There were many second placed swimmers, including Robert Harrison, the nine-year-old girls relay team, Bethany Honey, Charlotte Flannery, James Thompson, Lauren Crabtree and Lucy Butler. Pioneer 79 has over 200 swimmers and is run by parents and friends on a voluntary basis. They are on the lookout for new swimmers and coaches. Ring Sue Walsh on 390793.
  • Elsewhere, five students from the Masters of Martial Arts Academy have graduated to Black Belt First Dan. Philip Gumm, 19, Lynton Gillett, 18, and Luke Robinson, 18, are from the Great Harwood school where they have studied the martial art of Goshin Kemp Ju Jitsu. Kirstie Young, 18, and Louise Walsh, 19, are from the Rishton school. All have represented their country at national and international level. The group also qualified for their Youth Leadership award scheme which focuses on working with children and adults, team-building and raising self-esteem. Kirstie is off to university but will continue her Ju Jitsu training while Philip is studying Japanese. Luke and Louise both help teach the younger children at their respective martial art schools which have specialised programs for five-year-old Little Dragons, teenagers, adults and over-40s. Any parents who are interested in enrolling themselves or their child for the new term should ring 884333 or 07973186762.