Skyrac contains a relatively small fellrunning group but their navigational skills are such that the Fell Runners' Association entrusts Skyrac to mount the Spring Navigation Skills course which last weekend was held in Kettlewell.

No less than 27 runners enrolled and so Skyrac members Steve and Margaret Batley, Andy Brear, Neil Clayton, Dave and Jenny Hill and Howard Sawyer forwent a race weekend to tutor on the course which also included, on the pupils side of the room, Skyrac's Graham and Cheryl Grinstead.

Navigational skills are not required on the London Marathon and Derek Emsley who is rapidly learning to love the fells returned to his first love of road running to finish an excellent 801st in 2.55.47.

Given a local fell race Malcolm Coles and Graham Breeze are likely to be there and at Saturday's eight mile Erringden Moor Race they reached the final stile together where Malcolm shoulder charged Graham aside, or alternatively Graham yielded to the older man, to finish in 46th (76.52) and 47th (76.57) respectively from a field of 109 runners. Winner was local Todmorden runner George Ehrhardt in 61.35.

To run with Skyrac ring 01943 874046 for a warm welcome.

Spencers out on the road

Horsforth athletes, Robert and Elizabeth Spencer, both of Holmfirth Harriers, were busy road running at the weekend in two highly prestigious championship meetings.

The UK. Athletics National Young Athletes Three Stage Road Relays were held at Sutton Park, Birmingham. In these, Elizabeth ran a magnificent leg to record the tenth fastest time of the day in the Under-17 women's race.

Meanwhile, older brother, 17 year-old Robert, formed part of the sixteenth placed Holmfirth senior men's team at the North of England Twelve Stage Road Relays in Stockport's Woodbank Park.

The spate of Spring open meetings continued when Warrington's Victoria Park Stadium hosted the latest round. Only Skyrac's Bill Wheeler made the journey from our area but came home duly rewarded with a first place in the senior men's shot (7.26kg) with a putt of just under 11m.

The first round, of seven meetings, of the West Yorkshire Track and Field League season took place on Sunday at York's Ryedale Stadium. Skyrac athletes, from under 11 girls to senior men, were out in force. A report and results will appear next week.

Appendix rules Bethany out

Bethany Staniland's promising start to the season came to an abrupt halt during the week, as she was rushed into hospital to have her appendix removed.

It couldn't have happened at a worse time with Yorkshire and NoEAA Champs coming up and it will be several weeks before she is back in action.

Otley Athletic Club

Otley AC had five representatives in last weekend's London Marathon. Ian Fisher, hoping for sub-two hours 20 minutes in order to achieve a Commonwealth Games qualifying time, was disappointed with his 2.22.07 but this was achieved despite suffering blisters on both feet from about 15 miles onwards and he did finish in a very respectable 26th place.

Otley's second finisher was Neil Cayton who completed his first marathon in an excellent time of 2.33.54 to finish in 89th place and he was closely followed by Andrew Robertshaw who managed 2.36.35 in 119th position. Tom Hannah completed his fifth London Marathon in 3.26.41 and Otley's final finisher was Kath Robertshaw in 3.50.41.

Otley AC welcome runners of all abilities to their training sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.15pm at Otley RUFC, Cross Green, Otley (0113 2842572 for further details).

Ilkley Harriers

Eight Ilkley Harriers travelled south for the Flora London Marathon, and enjoyed a great day out and some great results. Neil Chapman was 1964th in 3:09:16; Suzanne Akeroyd was 2568th in 3:14:10 (a PB of 6 mins on last year); Keith Wood was 2896th in 3:17:47 (another PB, by 20 mins);Paul Howard 3350th in 3:20:49, Caroline Howard 3795th in 3:23:54 Richard Midgely was 6650th in 3:39:38; Dave Ibbotson was 6732nd in 3:40:00 (a PB, and 20 mins quicker than his last London); Andy Webster was 7787nd in 3:44:30 (another PB 23 mins); and Michael and Mariola Booth ran together, Mariola finishing 22565th in 4:41:54 and Michael 22604th in 4:42:03.

Across the Irish Sea, a select group of Ilkley ladies raced in the Spelga Skyline - a 13 Mile fell race with 6500ft of climb in the Mourne Mountains. This was a quality race as it was the second counter in the British Fell Championships.

Andrea Priestley was the second lady, 42nd overall, in 2:58:32 (just a few minutes behind Keswick's Louise Sharp who ran 2:53:48); Alison Weston was 15th lady, 94th overall in 3:40:41; Shirley Wood was 116th in 4:33:28; and Susie Jollie was 117th in 4:33:46. They were fifth ladies team.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, running from Ilkley Tennis Club every Tuesday at 7pm except April 23, when they host a Harrogate League race starting at 7.30pm. All Harriers are invited to either race or help organise..