BUDDING athletics stars were challenged to test their speed by Keeping Up With Paula.

As a youngster with Frodsham Harriers, now Halton and Frod-sham Harriers, Paula Radcliffe loved nothing better than the continuous relays which traditionally closed the club's evening sessions in Castle Park.

So, in celebration of the world champion marathon runner, it was decided to stage such an event for the Frodsham Games which were part of the town's carnival week.

Frodsham athletics supremo George Bunner, Radcliffe's first coach and mentor, said: 'As a young girl, Paula attended Kingsley Community Primary School.

'At the age of nine, her parents took her to Frodsham Harriers.

'Her obvious love and talent for running showed at an early age.'

Radcliffe, along with her friends and younger brother, took part in Fun Athletics.

One of her favourite activities was the continuous relays. Bunner added: 'When Paula and her parents left Kingsley, to live in Bedford, they took with them the concept of the continuous relay and introduced it to their new club.

'As a celebration of Paula's achievements, we invited local clubs to participate in a 2,000m relay as part of the Frodsham Games - to demonstrate just how fast Paula was running when she set the new British and Commonwealth 3,000m record at the (Commonwealth) Games in Manchester (in 2002).'

Teams were made up of boys and girls of primary school age who covered the distance in a sequence of 50-metre stages.

Fittingly, the event was won by Halton and Frodsham Harriers who completed the distance in five minutes 53 seconds - just 16 seconds slower than Paula's time.

The continuous relay was among various afternoon races for children aged seven to 15.

The games, at Frodsham Community Centre in Fluin Lane, also featured an exciting new set of challenges, based on Scottish Highland Games.

Children from athletics clubs from around the area were invited to take part in disciplines such as tossing the caber, highland steps (based on highland dancing) and the weight-for-height event.

Bunner added: 'The 2005 Amateur Highland Games champion, Graeme Allan, and his wife, Vicci, were on hand to demonstrate and guide the participants, who all appeared to have a wonderful time.'