Four local young athletes helped their club, Leeds City AC, to a superb fifth place in the boys' national final of the UK Athletics Young Athletes League at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

Competing against some of the best clubs in the country the four youngsters even managed to bring home four individual medals and just missed out on others with a string of fourth places.

Once again the under-17 age group proved a strong one for the Leeds club. Horsforth's Andrew Staniland achieved two second places in the A strings of the javelin (47.94m) and the

discus (38.94m). He was also fourth in the A race of the 100m hurdles in his second best ever time of 14.36s. Fellow multi-eventer, Fraser Davies, gained a bronze medal in the B event of the discus whilst also long jumping to 5.75m for fifth in the A string. To complete the trio of under-17 multi-eventers, Matthew Huson won a silver medal in the B high jump (1.65m), came fourth in the B long jump (5.36m) and finished in fifth position in the B 100m hurdles (17.31s).

In the younger age groups there was another fine run from Guiseley's Alex Davy who finished a creditable fourth in the B string of the Under-15 boys 3,000m in 10 mins.53s. Guiseley's Robert Hall was also fourth in the Under-15 A string 3000m with 10mins.40.04s.

A civic reception now awaits the Leeds lads in recognition of their tremendous achievements.

Combined Events

Two Aireborough multi-event athletes enjoyed medal winning success at the Yorkshire County AAA Combined Events Championships held ar Rotherham's Herringthorpe Athletics Centre.

There was a silver medal for Horsforth's Bethany Staniland of Leeds City AC in the under-17 women's heptathlon with a personal best score of 4,218 points. This score places the 15 year-old Horsforth athlete amongst the top six under-17 women in the country for this event.

She was pipped for the gold medal by Bingley Harriers' English Schools' international multi-eventer Rebecca Long, who set a new championship best performance with 4,330 points.

Bethany's individual scores were: 80m hurdles (13.4s); high jump (1.46m); shot (9.66m); 200m (26.9s); long jump (4.99m); javelin (32.82m); 800m (2.28.1).

Danni White of Skyrac AC gained the bronze medal in the senior women's heptathlon with a score of 3,620 points. In second place after day one's four events, Danni was unfortunate on day two to have two seemingly valid javelin throws given the red flag by a somewhat inexperienced field judge. Nevertheless, she managed to remain in the medals by just two points from Scarborough AC's Samantha Wade.

Danni's individual scores were: 100m hurdles (17.9s); high jump (1.52m); shot (10.47m); 200m (27.4s); long jump (4.44m); javelin (20.88m); 800m (2.40.7).

Grants for clubs

UK Athletics' clubs:future initiative has made 68 more grants totalling almost £60,000 (including almost £10k in coach education vouchers) to help clubs fulfil their aims.

It means the governing body has distributed more than £300,000 to grassroots schemes in less than two years.

In Yorkshire and Humberside Bingley Harriers receive a total of £1,000 (£700 from clubs:future plus £300 from Active Sports) to produce a brochure to give to potential members; Grimsby. Cleethorpes, Barton and District receive £1,650 to develop a community/club sports hall athletics programme and deliver competition to select representative teams. Halifax Harriers receive £500 to promote athletics, develop standard of coaching and provide training log books. Idle AC receive £75 to aid coaching and Kingston Upon Hull AC receive £1,300 to take athletics (mainly sports hall and shine) to young people by forging links with more schools.

Leeds Carnegie AC receive £800 to form links with schools and make athletics available to young people. Pudsey and Bramley receive £1,200 (£900 from clubs:future plus £300 from Active Sports) to further expand existing coaching awards, bring more people into the sport, contribute to Active Sports and purchase new equipment; Scarborough AC £450 for throws equipment. Scunthorpe and District AC receive £500 to provide competition hurdles for under-13 girls.

Otley AC

Last Thursday saw 16 members at Carnegie track in Headingley for the clubs annual 3000m handicap race. This event was also a points scorer for the club's Runner-of-the-Year competition.

First finisher on the night was Mick Jeffrey who stopped the watch at 14:32 (worth 10:47 after the handicap had been taken into account). Next came Malcolm Court, who has been improving all year. He finished 7 seconds behind with a run worth 10:24.

Other finishers, and their times (actual running times) were: John Straiton (12:11), David Hainsworth (12:27), Antonio Cardinale (12:29), Graham Stead (12:00), Phil Robinson (12:01), Ian Fisher (9:04), Julian Mawson (9:26), Andrew Robertshaw (9:32), David Cattanach (13:32), Chris Carver (11:24), Neil Cayton (9:47), Carl Walsh (12:09), Tom Hannah (12:20) and Paul Clifford (12:04).

After eight handicap events so far this year Antonio Cardinale has a five point lead over Paul Clifford (87 to 82) with Malcolm Court a further five points behind.

On Saturday three members travelled over to Lancashire for the Pendleton Fell Race which involved 1500 feet of climbing during a five mile run.

Colin Best was Otley's first finisher in 47:34 for 81st position. Seven places behind was David Fox with 48:33 and in 132nd position came David Cattanach who just failed to beat the hour with 60:20.

The following day was the turn of the road running fraternity with the Armthorpe 10k near Doncaster. Otley had only the one contender in this event and Julian Mawson was pleased with his 33:14 as there were strong headwinds in the second half of the course making running difficult at times.

Members are reminded that the club's AGM will take place on Thursday, September 11, at Otley RUFC and that their presence can make a difference to the future direction of the club.

Otley AC caters for runners of all standards and abilities and meets on Tuesday and Thursday at Otley RUFC (7.15pm). Any interested runners are asked to simply turn up or phone Chris for more details on 01943 468109. Alternatively look at the club's website: otleyac.co.uk

Ilkley Triathlon

The 11th Ilkley Triathlon will take place on Sunday, September 21, starting at noon.

As ever, the event will be based at Ilkley Swimming Pool and is organised by Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club.

Triathletes will compete in a continuous race starting with a 500m swim. The challenging run and bike course starts at the pool and goes along Denton Road, up Carters Lane and down Curly Hill.

Competitors have to tackle this circuit three times on the bike (9 miles) and finally once again (3 miles) on the run.

Ever popular, the race reached its entry limit of 250 athletes in back in June.

The youngest competitor is 15 year-old Emma Pickles and the oldest is 63 year-old Ivan Green of Leeds. Over 25 per cent of the field is female. One athlete will be travelling all the way from Deal in Kent to race.

More details of this years race including a list of competitors, can be found on the Leeds and Bradford Triathlon Club website www.lbt.org.uk.