Athletics: Bronte challenge for Will

Smith, a member of Keighley and Craven Athletics Club, ran exactly the same time as last year's winner, Ian Taylor, and impressive performance in the conditions.

"Maybe if I'd been pushed the winning time could have been faster," he said after coming almost half-a-minute outside Steve Oldfield's 1999 record time of 54:48.

After setting off from the ruins of Wycoller Hall over the hill in Lancashire, runners followed the Bronte Way footpath and finished outside the Fleece Inn on Main Street, Haworth.

Several rivals including Skipton AC's Lee Athersmith, and Lancashire runners Shane Fitzpatrick and Thornton Taylor, lost ground after taking wrong turns.

Second man home - almost five minutes down on the winner - was Keighley's Damien Scholes with Hyndburn's Shane Fitzpatrick third and Rossendale's Thornton Taylor, first veteran, fourth. Athersmith came fifth but improved on last year's seventh place.

Scholes' father, Long Lee postman Barr Scholes, was first V50 in 19th place.

First woman, repeating her feat of exactly 10 years ago, was Jean Rawlinson, now a FV50, and running alongside husband Barry. She took 45th overall, 50 seconds clear of second woman, Debbie Spurr (Keighley and Craven), and a further 48 seconds up on third placed Jane Smith of Todmorden.

n The continuing Foot and Mouth restrictions have caused the cancellation of next month's Rivock Edge fell race at Silsden. Organisers of the event, due to be held on November 25, had to pull the plug as some parts of the route between Silsden and Riddlesden are still not clear.

n Keighley & Craven AC member Eric Sunderland is calling on runners of all abilities, aged 16 and over, including those returning to the sport to join him on a 'Fun run with a chum' starting from the traffic lights at the Goat's Head, Steeton each Saturday morning at 10am. Beginners are especially welcome and Eric can be contacted on 654690 or 07931 563053.