Rob Hope (Pudsey and Bramley) won the fourth and final Bunny Run in 18min 09sec, which was 19 seconds ahead of club mate Gary Devine, from a field of 237 finishers.

Bingley Harriers stars Ian Holmes and John Taylor had finished in the first two places in the previous three races and thereby ensured that they would win the overall series prizes. In theory racing over the Bunny Run course on four consecutive weeks allows competitors to monitor their, hopefully, improving performance in the field but in reality one's peers tend to improve as well over the same period. Thus after the frantic starts which are a hallmark of the Bunny Runs (because of the interim 'egg stage' prize awarded a few hundred metres from the start) when runners do have the opportunity to glance around they tend to find themselves running with the same faces or behind the familiar rear views of faster runners.

So Skyrac's Malcolm Coles won the Over-60 prize in the fourth Bunny Run (83rd in 23.44) just as he had won the three earlier races and so took the overall series prize. Graham Breeze was third Over-50 Veteran (63rd in 23.02) behind Steven Moss (Spenborough) and Les Hayes (Bingley) and in the overall series it was these three in the same order who took the Over- 50 prizes.

As the impact of the foot and mouth epidemic starts to diminish there are encouraging signs that more races attractive to fellrunners can be mounted. Valley Striders has announced a new date (June 30) for their postponed Meanwood Valley Trail Race and Skyrac are finalising arrangements to ensure that the well established Otley Chevin Fell Race on June 6 can go ahead.

Meanwhile the Sheffield Half Marathon served to keep some Skyrac athletes running. Billed as being 'fast and flat' this can only be true relative to the alternatives available in Sheffield for even fellrunners suffering from a lack of races felt at home on the hilly course.

For Skyrac Graham Grinstead was pleased to come home in 1hr 28min 45sec (146th position) behind Peter Rawnsley who in taking 1.27.26 (116th) clearly spent too long nostalgically gazing around his former Sheffield haunts amongst the steelworks and pitheaps. Race winner Andrew Aked runs for local Rotherham Harriers and so was not distracted in racing home in 1.09.57.

Otley AC

The Harrogate and District Summer Road Race League got underway when the first race was staged over a five mile course from Harlow Carr Gardens, Harrogate. Despite the heavy showers, Otley A.C were represented by 21 members and filled a remarkable five out of the first six places. The race was won by Ian Fisher, recovering from a top 30 placing in the London Marathon, in 27 minutes 9 seconds.

A procession of Otley A.C runners consisting of Neil Cayton 28.17, Mark Hall 28.56, Andrew Robertshaw 29.16 and Julian Mawson 29.31 ensured that the club made a good start to the defence of their Elite Team award.

With a few of their regular middle order runners missing, Otley could only achieve overall third place on the night but it was pleasing to see Mick Jeffrey, the current male veteran champion, return to racing with a time of 34.52. The remaining counters for Otley were Colin Best 34.55, Neil O'Brien 35.03, Steve Mann 36.21 and Phil Robinson 36.26.

The Otley A.C Ladies team also achieved third place overall with Beth Massey 37.51, Linda Land 39.55, Carol Armistead 39.58, Mary Hampshire 40.25 and Caroline Wood 41.48 all putting in good performances.

On Sunday the Rothwell 10k attracted 520 finishers. Otley's Mark Hall was first male veteran in 33.37. Julian Mawson 33.43 also achieved a top ten placing whilst John Straiton 39.24, Phil Robinson 41.25, Beth Massey 43.22, Antonio Cardinale 47.12, Lynne Newsome 47.12 and Emma Payne 48.19 completed the Otley A.C. line up.

The Otley Ten Mile Road Race, sponsored by Otley Motors, will be held on Wednesday, May 16, at 7.30pm. Entry forms are available from the club or by telephoning 0113 2842572 and entries on the night will be accepted at the race headquarters at Otley RUFC, Cross Green, Otley.

John Carr Series

TO Commemorate the life of John Carr his club St Bede's, now resident at Esholt Sports Club, organise an annual race in his memory. In 1998 the event was held in Lister Park but in 1999 and last year the venue was transferred to the club's' new headquarters at Esholt and the single race has now been replaced by three races.

This year they will take place on May 9, 23 and 30. The 5k course runs through the village and the private roads of the Yorkshire Water Estate.

There will be even more prizes this year - for junior runners not attached to a running club. John's father, who competed in the 1989 London Marathon, has agreed once again to present the prizes.

Further information can be obtained from the club website http://www.stbedesac.logend.org.uk or from Mike Moss on 01274 823133.