Horsforth Harrier Howard Roberts completed the Paris Marathon in 2 hours 57 minutes, an excellent time for a Super Vet (men 50 years of age and above).

However Howard was clearly not content with this and was only using his run in Paris as a warm up, for at the 20th Shakespeare Marathon, run at Stratford-upon-Avon. He smashed the previous race record by placing 3rd overall in a speedy 2 hours 44 minutes.

Not only was this a Super Vet record for the Shakespeare Marathon, it also set a new mark for Horsforth Harriers Super Vets. Howard believed that due to the differing natures of the courses, his time would have equated to approximately 2 hours 38 minutes at London. However, even a time of 2:44 run at London would have seen Howard confirmed as one of the top Super Vets in the country and his time at Stratford should gain him automatic qualification for the 2002 London Marathon.

Skyrac AC

This last week has been an extremely busy and eventful one for Skyrac AC and other local athletes, with open meetings, league fixtures and schools' championships abounding. The popular Westfield Open Graded Meeting was held at the Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield. Horsforth student Elizabeth Spencer of Holmfirth Harriers ran magnificently in the Under-17 women's 3000m for second place with a personal best time of 10mins 39.3s.

At another of the North's top venues, The Gateshead International Stadium, Leeds G.S. pupil and Skyrac athlete, Andrew Staniland, also of Horsforth, showed that he is beginning to overcome his long term knee injury at the Northern Independent Schools' Championships. After winning the Under-15 boys' javelin with a personal best throw of 35.75m, he then went on to pick up a silver medal in the Under-15 boys' 80m hurdles with 13.1s. Andrew came home with three medals when the Leeds G.S. 4 x 100m relay team came second in 49.3s.

Nick Howard of Bradford G.S. and Skyrac A.C. was second in the Under-15 Boys' 1500m.

Wednesday saw the second West Yorkshire Track and Field League at Thorne's Park, Wakefield. Five of Skyrac's Guiseley-based athletes came in the top six in their respective events, thus earning points for both the club and their individual tally.

The girls were the most successful with Laura Kirk running the excellent time of 2mins 21.5s to win the Under-15 girls' 800m.

Amy Howard was also victorious in this age group, taking the long jump with 4.60m. Georgina Ablett was the star of the Under-13 girls' age group when she won the 80m in 11.4s and came sixth in the 800m with 2mins.47.5s. In this latter event, Gabbi Rowell ran well for second place in 2 mins 33.4s. Finally, Sam Webster continued his fine early season form with a second place in the Under-13 boys' 800m in 2mins 34.1s.

To complete a hectic week, Bradford (Northern Men's League Division Four), York (Northern Women's League Division Two), and Macclesfield (Young Athletes League Division One N.W.) were also the venues for Skyrac teams.

Bethany's debut

On Sunday, Horsforth schoolgirl, Bethany Staniland made her team debut for Kingston Upon Hull AC in the first meeting of the North of England Women's League, Division One, at Stretford's Longford Park Stadium, Manchester.

Here she helped her new club to a fine third place and displayed her multi-events talents by gaining all but maximum points in the A strings of the three throwing disciplines in the Under-15 girls' age group.

Despite being a first year Under-15, Bethany was not overawed by the competition at this level and started her afternoon by winning the javelin with a personal best throw of 23.04m. An hour later she emulated this performance by winning the discus with 25.23m, also a personal best. Finally, she was pipped in to second place in the shot putt with 8.59m, just six cms off her personal best.

Ilkley Harriers

The popular Bunny Run race series culminated with a successful relay event last Thursday, that attracted some 100 teams. Pete Shields, Mike Baldwin and Nick Pearce won the Vet's race, and their weight (almost!) in chocolate prizes. The Kitchens - Di, Andy, and daughter Eleanor - were well up in the hotly contested family relay.

On Sunday, Otley's Ian Fisher led home the rest of the 500 strong field at the Tadcaster Ten Mile Road Race, an event which is always popular with Ilkley Harriers. Andy Wade was the first Harrier being 13th in 57.06, with Mark Iley also to the fore in about 25th place in 60.06 - a Personal Best, and within easy reach of that magic 60-minute benchmark.

Mike Baldwin ran about 63.20, and Ewan Welsh 63.57, both quality runs. Andy Wolfenden was pleased to lead daughter Cath home - 76.10 and 77.50 respectively. Chris Porritt continues to enjoy good results in her build-up to the Leeds Marathon, with 83.06.

Harriers are reminded that tonight, Thursday, is the second race in the Harrogate Road League, at Thirsk. Next Tuesday there will be an alternative run (in addition to the BRSC run) from the Timble Inn at 7pm and next Thursday (17th) Pete's training re-starts at Danefield at 7pm.

Ilkley Harriers train from Ben Rhydding Sports Club on Tuesdays at 7pm.

Horsforth ladies

Horsforth Harriers carried off the Ladies team prize at the first Sunday running of the Tadcaster Ten Mile Road Race. The race attracted a huge entry, probably due to a combination of its first Sunday running and the recent lack of races due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak, and the first three Horsforth Ladies - Helen Sly, Nicola Wilde and Julia Day - faced stiff competition and recorded a couple of personal bests in their efforts to secure the team prize.

Helen also claimed an individual prize as she finished finished third lady overall, and special mention should be made of the fourth Horsforth lady, Jean Davey, who also set new personal best figures in supporting the first three home.

At the same race, for Horsforth Harriers men, Tony Hazell marked the end of an indifferent run of form by finishing 16th overall in 57:51 and Steve Large, fresh from a big new personal best at the London Marathon, finished in 61:50.

Wharfedale Harriers

With Wharfedale very much a pure fell running club the lack of access to the fells has hit home particularly hard, with training on the road holding little appeal to most members. The only racing since February has been courtesy of Dave and Eileen Woodhead's Bunny Run Series at Cliffe Castle which brought out a few good performances, and at least indicated that some members have kept their training going.

The highlights from the four race series were John Wootton's consistency in his first year as a V40, bringing him 2nd place overall in that category. Bob Hamilton had hopes of pushing John hard, but despite picking up 4th V40 overall, was never able to give him a close race. Before breaking his collar bone training with the junior section, Keith Holder had a tremendous run in the second race for 64th place in 22.12. The performance of the series came from junior James Kelly in the third race, again for 64th place, in 22.41, beating many good senior athletes and showing what great talent and determination he possesses. The fourth race saw some of the younger members out racing. For the girls, Eleanor Kitchen and Ria Thackery both ran excellent races for 27.13 and 29.32 respectively. Forrest Hamilton and Zac Thackery had the best battle of the series running together and sprinting to the finish in 29.14, Forrest just getting home first.

The culmination of the series saw the Bunny Run Relays. First family team home - as last year - was Wharfedale's Wadsworths (Richard 10.55; James 9.54; Sam 10.05) 8th place overall. Their next family team (with Ilkley Harriers) were the Kitchens (Diane 12.31; Eleanor 13.07; Andy 13.05) 67th followed by the Wharfedale Hamiltons (Bob 10.28; Forrest 15.33; Roam 16.49) 87th and the Wharfedale Woottons (John 10.08; Elizabeth 18.18; Jess 15.20) 91st.

Wharfedale entered a Vets team which got in the prizes. They finished 24th overall (Paul Rogan 11.30; John Wootton 11.02; Bob Hamilton 10.45). John only had an 80 second rest following his first leg, and then ran around a third time to accompany seven year-old daughter Jess as she showed no mercy to run a remarkable 15.20.

Probably the best overall performance of the day came from the Wharfedale All Saints, the youngest team in the race (average age nine years). They finished 85th overall (Ria Thackery 14.44; Alex Sinclair 13.48; Zac Thackery 13.44). The other ad hoc team, the Clitheroe Clan, were sandwiched between the Hamiltons and the Woottons in 88th place (Joe Gallacher 13.35; Andrew Hyde 16.22; Stuart Hyde 13.16).

Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Senior training takes place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from Silsden, Wednesday evening from Skipton, and Thursday evening from Ilkley Grammar School. For details contact David Hird on 01535 653826,or visit the website at www.wharfedaleharriers.org.uk. There will be no junior training this coming Monday. Ring Bob Hamilton on 816776 for more information.