Taking advantage of superb running conditions last weekend, members of Otley AC participated in two separate road races.

On Saturday, The Coniston 14 beckoned some Otley members who had enjoyed the same excellent weather on the club's training weekend in the Lake District the week before.

In the race, around Coniston Water, John Armitstead put up the best club performance with a time of 1.38.08.

London Marathon bound David Hainsworth and Kath Robertshaw followed in 1.45.14 and 1.47.10 respectively, the latter time enabling Kath to win the Over-60 ladies' prize in a course record for that age category.

Completing the Otley contingent was Carol Armitstead in 1.50.24.

On Sunday, the Yorkshire Half Marathon Championships were staged at Ackworth and, winner for the last five years, Otley AC's Ian Fisher, was there to defend his title.

However, substantial prize money attracted some world-class athletes and Ian was beaten into seventh place. The race was won by Kenyan John Mutai in a new course record of 65.18 followed by fellow Kenyan Benson Matheka in 65.45.

In third place and new Yorkshire Champion was Julian Moorhouse in 66.21. Ian Fisher finished in 68.39 and was supported by Mark Hall (71.15) and Julian Mawson (73.47) to enable Otley AC to clinch both the open team prize and the Yorkshire team title.

Malcolm Court managed a respectable 90.51 followed by Phil Robinson in 94.50. As is customary these days, Tom Hannah trailed in behind Phil in 95.15 followed by Beth Massey in 96.15.

Carl Walsh, making his debut at the distance, finished in 97.25 and Howard Jeffrey managed 103.38. Helen Walsh did well to finish in 104.49 whilst David Cattanach brought up the rear in 111.04.

Otley AC welcome runners of all abilities to their training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.15pm at Otley RUFC.

Entry forms for this year's Otley Ten Mile Road Race, to be held on Wednesday, June 25, and sponsored by Otley Motors and Leeds & Holbeck Building Society can be obtained from the club and at various sports centres and sports shops.