The fourth Danefield Relay had more than double the number of teams than the previous year. Unfortunately the Foot and Mouth crisis has led to all fell races in England and Wales being cancelled so far this year. In Leeds we have been fortunate, with having had the Chevin Fell Race and, the previous weekend, the Meanwood Valley off-road race to compete in.

This has made these races very popular with runners. At the relay fell clubs attended from as far away as Settle. Runners were made very welcome but there was hot competition between the clubs.

Firstly organisers, Horsforth Fellandale, would like to thank the weather. For the past three years runners have had to contend with dark overcast or rainy evenings. The lovely warm sunshine, with a slight breeze, made it perfect for...spectating.

With 72 teams - 206 runners - many here for the first time, did not know what to expect. Although each circuit is just over three miles, the first half represents fairly flat or down hill running. But the return journey, at its lowest point, adjacent to Leeds Road, means a nearly continuous climb all the way back to the main Danefield car park.

The first climb is short, but testy, but you are on the second long climb before you have had chance to recover. Many runners opt for plan c (after plan a: run and plan b: slow down don't work) walk! However the final corner brings you in sight of the spectators, fellow club members and other runners, leaving no option but to dig deep for that final push to the change-over point. The shouts of encouragement give the adrenalin for that final boost.

The relay has always attracted top local athletes - and with 24 clubs attending, the competition was hot. On the men's side Otley AC had Andrew Robertshaw, Ian Fisher and Neil Cayton wanting to outflank Pudsey and Bramley's Steve Neill, Gary Devine and Boff Whalley. They chased each other all the way round - but Otley, with Ian Fisher in flying form, created an almost two minute lead by the third lap.

The great surprise, to all the spectators who were watching around the course, was to see the leading women's team chase the top men's team. The Bingley ladies team had three very strong runners - Charlotte Sanderson, Pauline Monroe and Rose Whitehead. Charlotte has a place on the England team and had represented us in the uphill-only races held in Slovenia. She came in as the first placed England runner, picking up 10th place, a great achievement.

Bingley Ladies final time of 61:02 was almost eight minutes ahead of Pudsey and Bramley Ladies (Sally Corbin, Holly Grinstead and Pange Srivastava).

Surprisingly only the Ladies records fell on the night. Bingley Ladies set a new course record by 02:47 and Charlotte Sanderson overturned Sarah Rowell's (Pudsey and Bramley) 1999 record of 19:54 by 56 seconds (18:58).

Let's not forget some the runners at the back of the pack. It took some guts, but three Under-12 runners from Leeds City got round the course in a time of 88:15. They were probably delighted with their time over such an arduous route, probably more so when they found they were not last placed.

That honour was taken for the second year running by the Chevin Shufflers in a time of 91:38 - meaning a 38 minute difference between the first and last placed team.

Horsforth Fellandale would like to thank all the clubs who put teams together on the night. The results will be available on www.fellandale.com.

A pair of size 6 Saucony trainers were left behind on the night - if they are yours please contact Dave Hodgson (0113) 258 5586.

Fellandale train on the Chevin on a Wednesday night - meeting at Surprise View car park, opposite The Royalty on Yorkgate, at 6.30pm. They run a wide variety of routes. Members of other clubs are most welcome to train with them. For more details contact Mark Saville (0113) 258 4680.

Skyrac AC

Local League athletics dominated last week's track and field programme for Skyrac A.C's Guiseley-based athletes, and once again there was much individual success.

Wednesday saw the fifth West Yorkshire Track and Field League meeting at the Princess Mary Stadium, Cleckheaton. Here two girls, Amy Howard and Georgina Ablett, maintained their hold on a top three league spot in their respective age groups. An injured Amy did well to achieve second place in the Under-15 girls' shot (3.25kg) with 8.14m, but was unable to run in the 200m which was won by her close rival, Rebecca Long of Bingley Harriers in 27.2s.

Rebecca also won the 800m (2mins.26.5s) and was fourth in the shot (7.89m) to climb above Amy in the Under-15 girls' league table. Nevertheless, Amy's five points in the shot keeps her well in touch for second place in the league placings with two meetings to go.

Georgina Ablett also finds herself in second place, but in the Under-13 girls' table, behind Spenborough A.C.'s Alice Simpson. Georgina was a little below par in the discus (750g) with 19.10m, but this was good enough for second place and five valuable points. She then went on to pick up one point in the 800m with sixth position (2mins.46.4s).

This latter event, the Under-13 girls' 800m, was won by Skyrac's Gabby Rowell with a very determined 2mins.32.9s. Two Skyrac ten year-olds also enjoyed a very successful evening with Grace Chattaway winning the Under-11 girls' 600m (2mins.02.3s) and James Murray running 11.2s for second place in the Under-11 boys' 75m. Finally, Andrew Hawkyard turned his talents to the Under-13 boys' high jump for third equal place with 1.10m.

Horsforth's Bethany Staniland (Kingston upon Hull A.C.), made her first appearance of the season in Wednesday's league meeting and promptly picked up 12 points. Competing one year under age, she won the Under-15 girls' shot (3.25Kg) with 9.30m, and then came fourth in the 800m (2mins27.9s) and fifth in the 200m (28.6s).

The previous day, several Skyrac athletes had been competing for their schools at the final of the Leeds Schools' League at the South Leeds Stadium.

Here the club's good fortune in having the successful and talented Guiseley School girls' team on their doorstep was amply demonstrated with outstanding victories from: Sarah Whitehead (Under-14 200m in 29.7s); Hayley Roberts (Under-16 200m in 28.0s); and Emma Smith (Under-16 300m and long jump 4.70m).

Horsforth School's Gabby Rowell won the Under-14 girls' 1500m (5mins.21.8s), and 14 year-old Leeds G.S. student Andrew Staniland took both the Under-16 boys' 80m hurdles, in a new league record of 12.5s, and the long jump with 5.87m.

Eleven year-old Hannah Thompson, of the Froebelian School, Horsforth, and Skyrac A.C, tasted the big time last week at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium in the National Prep Schools' Championships. Here she was only one centimetre off her personal best for sixth place in the Under-12 girls' high jump with 1.20m.

Otley AC victory

The Otley AC men's A team made up of Ian Fisher, Neil Cayton and Andrew Robertshaw romped home to victory in the Danefield relay with a one minute lead over second place Pudsey and Bramley.

Six members turned out on Sunday to complete the Pudsey 10k. Overcast conditions accompanied the very hilly, mainly off road 10k race. First was Ian Malone from Acworth 35.33 while first past the post for Otley was Julian Mawson, with an excellent time of 37.33 over a very demanding course. Second in was Colin Best 45.09, followed by Steve Mann, 48.00, Phil Robinson, 48.21, David Cattanach 54.45 closely followed by Otley's only female entry Emma Payne in 56.49 who had not recovered from the previous day's training on the lake district high fells.

The next club handicap will be held on Saturday, July 14. A training run over the course is to be held tonight, Thursday meet 7.15pm at Aireborough Leisure Centre car park. None members are welcome at both, please call Emma Payne on 0776 2936410.

Ladies interested in starting running ? Otley are looking to expand their ladies section all abilities are welcome. Club training is held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 7.15pm at Otley Rugby Club, with the possibility of Monday night training for beginners if enough are interested. Please call Emma Payne on 0776 2936410 for more information.

English Schools'

Championships

Local athletes did extremely well in the English Schools Track and Field Championships at the Exeter Arena with

the highest placed being Under-15 girl Amy Howard (Skyrac) with sixth place in the discus with a throw of 31.09m.

Another Under-15 girl Laura Kirk (Skyrac) took part in the 1500m and was eighth in her heat in 4mins. 55.66s while in the Under-15 boys Alex Fox (Leeds City) was eighth in the second round of the 400m in 54.13s.

Menston's Under-15 boy Richard Ettenfield (Leeds GS), a relative newcomer to the sport, did extremely well to finish tenth in the triple jump with 11.84m.

In the Under-17 girls Horsforth's Elizabeth Spencer (Holmfirth) was ninth in the 3000m in 10mins.29.89s.

In the Under-17 boys discus Lewis Williamson (Leeds) was tenth with 38.79m while Andrew Robinson (Leeds) was tenth in the javelin with 46.89m.

Primary Schools'

championships

THE Airedale and Wharfedale Primary Schools Championships took place at Beckett Park on Saturday.

In the Under-12 boys Skyrac's Andrew Hawkyard won the 600m while clubmate Hannah Thomson was second in the Under-12 girls' long jump.