HELEN JOHNSON staked her claim to the 2002 Bunny Run women's title with an impressive run in the first race in the series.

Helen (above) from Cononley, was 36th overall, finishing in a time of 21 minutes 38 seconds.

The three-mile Bunny Runs returned to Harden Moor after last year's Foot & Mouth forced them to move to Cliffe Castle. It was back to business as usual with 196 runners including 55 ladies competing over the bridle ways, tracks, paths and scrambles of the moor.

The Guide Inn is the race HQ and prize giving centre.

Local running super-star Ian Holmes won the event to claim his 20th Bunny title in a time of 17mins 40secs. He was 30 seconds ahead of rising junior Mark Buckingham who defeated Ian to the Egg-stage Hill Prize by one second.

Having won English Championship race, the Half Tour of Pendle and the British Championship event at Criefell in Scotland in recent weeks, Holmes looks ready to retain his title yet again.

Holmefirth's Andy Shaw was a first time Bunny winner in the Vets categories.

The winners left piled high with easter eggs, chocolate goodies, beer, easter cake - and a bag of corrots. They also received the perpetual trophies which are cuddly rabbits with the previous winners' names engraved down their stomachs.

Helen also led fellow Bingley internationals Pauline Munro and Helen Jackson to the ladies team prize.

All runners received Cadbury's cream eggs for their efforts.

If you want to become a 'Bunny Runner' races take place from the Guide Inn every Tuesday evening throughout April. This week's race starts at 7.15.

For full details contact Eileen or Dave Woodhead on 01535-669100.

Results

1 Ian Holmes (Bingley) 17.40; 2 Mark Buckingham 18.20; 3 Andy Shaw (Holmfirth) v40 18.27; 4 robnin lawrence (Bingley) 18:36; Locals: 5 Gavin Bland (Borrowdfale) 19:01; 7 Will Smith (K&C) 19.20; 14 Gary bailey (Bingley 20:11; 16 Stuart Hunn (Skipton) 1st under-16 20:17. 17 andy Wood (Bingley) 20:23; 18 Johnny Butler (K&C) V40 20:31.

20 Carey Gray (Bingley) V4020:39; 22 Robin Bradbury (Bingley) 20:41; 28 Colin Moses (Bingley) 20:55; 29 John Brook (U) 20:56; 30 James Senior (Bingley) 21:00; 32 Paul Crabtree (Bingley) 21:10; 33 Alister Brownlee (Bingley) 21:19 rd under-16; 35 Stephen Fry (Bingley) V40 21:33.

36 (1st Lady) Helen Johnson (Bingley) V35 21:38; 37 Paul Whelan (Bingley) 21:44; 40 (2nd Lady) Pauline Munro (Bingley) 21:59; 3rd lady Helen Jackson(Bingley 22:22; 4th Lady Kirsten bailey (Bingley) 22:40; 5 Sheryl Slater (Skipton) 24:13; 98 (6 lady 1 st V40) Todmorden Jane Smith 24:57.