CHRISTINE PRESTON celebrated her birthday in style -- by running 31 gruelling miles.

The member of Keighley Craven Athletics Club, won the women's pairs prize in the Wuthering Hike in a time of 5 hours 26 minutes with clubmate Rachael Sharples.

The race is rated one of the toughest events of its type, covering the distance of a marathon - plus another five miles - over rough moorland which includes 4,500ft of climbing.

But Christine (right), a training administrator for Abbey National who was celebrating her 39th birthday, is on top form at the moment and teamed up with fellow K&C member Rachael Sharples to win the ladies category.

Scottish runners dominated the men's and ladies solo categories with international athlete Donald Naylor, winning in 4:05, and Hike regular Mark Hartell was in second place three minutes behind.

Kate Jenkins also took advantage of the new solo category, to take the new women's solo title after wining last year in the mixed pairing and twice winning the ladies section with Maggie Creber, both from Scotland.

First local man home was Stuart Thompson of Bingley in 11th place with a time of 4:40. Paul Hindle (K&C) was two minutes down in thirteenth place. The Lancashire duo of Roger Brewster and Graham Cunliffe won the team award and first veteran team.

Profits from the event are split between Halifax, Bingley and Silsden scout groups who marshall they Hike each year, and Braithwaite Special School.

n The other big event of the weekend was the Lad's Leap in Derbyshire, the first English Championship event of 2003 with three times champion Ian Holmes finishing third and Rob Jebb fourth. Robin Lawrence was 22nd, Robin Bradbury 77 and Colin Moses 79. Bingley Harriers were third team behind Pudsey & Bramley and Borrowdale.

A superb run from Helen Johnson, who finished sixth, helped Bingley Ladies to a team victory. She was backed up by Sharon Taylor (13th), and Sue Beckonsall (18th). Christine Howard of Matlock won the ladies race in 56:12.