Ilkley Harriers and Airedale Athletics became regional champions at the awards night of England Athletics Yorkshire-Humberside.

Airedale were represented by Hazel Maddocks and Sue Birbeck, who picked up the Athletics Partnership of the Year award on behalf of the club.

The accolade acknowledged the ground-breaking nature of the collaboration between Bradford-Airedale, Eccleshill and St Bede’s and their work on the inaugural Epilepsy Action Bradford 10k this April.

Maddocks said: “The trophy’s in a new cabinet and we’ll share the champagne at our next quiz night. After barely a year in existence, it’s great recognition from the sport’s authorities.”

Ilkley Harriers were finalists in two categories: Off Track (road, cross country, and fell) and Junior Club of the Year. They won the latter in recognition of the growth in numbers and vitality of their youth section.

It proved to be a great day for the club as they also finished first ladies’ team at the British Masters’ Cross-Country Relays in Mansfield.

Alison Bennett handed over on the two-lap 4k course in fifth place. In her own age category of LV45, she would have come first.

Amanda Oddie set off in hot pursuit and within the first lap had already caught the two runners who had started a minute ahead. A storming finish saw her take another 20 seconds out of the leaders with an impressive time of 15min 55sec.

Third place seemed likely, given Sarah Jarvis’s recent form, but not making up a minute over a short course with teams traditionally putting their fastest runners on the anchor leg.

However, by halfway she’d halved the gap and emerged at the top of the final hill ahead. She pulled away in the second fastest time of the day, a staggering 14min 59sec.

Manager Marc Teasey said: “What a race and what a day for the club. One of the most exciting races I’ve ever seen – and with a happy ending.”