KINDER Scout in the Peak District is famous for the mass trespass in 1932 of walkers seeking public access to the hills of England, and at 2,086ft it is the highest point in England south of Fountains Fell, near Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Naturally, the Dark Peak attracts fellrunners and races include the 10-mile Kinder Downfall and the 18-mile Kinder Trog which start from Hayfield.

However, the classic race is the 21-mile Edale Skyline, which sets off from Edale village (the start of the 250-mile Pennine Way) and climbs over the series of hills which encircle the Vale of Edale including Mam Tor and Grindslow Knoll.

With a total ascent of 4,500ft and covering difficult terrain in its 21 miles the Edale Skyline is ideal for building stamina prior to the Three Peaks Race as well as being great fun in its own right (these people are fell-runners!).

Four fun-seekers from Skyrac made the journey to Edale last Sunday and under clear blue skies, but with a short hailstorm to add interest, Nigel Kirkbright finished in 34th position in 3hr 14min 11sec; 88th, Duncan Asquith (3-52.40); 99th, Neil Clayton (3-57.06); and 100th, Graham Breeze (3-57.07). The winner was previous winner and in-form Andy Trigg (Glossopdale) in 2-36.20, from 162 starters.

When road-runners feel a little adventurous they do trail races and on Saturday the well-established eight-mile Meanwood Valley Trail Race provided victory for Bingley's Mick Hawkins in 45min 53sec. First home for Skyrac in 50th place (third Over-50 Vet) in a field of 300 was Peter Rawnsley in 53.30, followed by 58th Bob Pritchard (54.42); 63rd Malcolm Coles (55.22) and 81st Mick Howard (57.21).

Skyrac train every Tuesday and Thursday from Nunroyd Park, Yeadon, and race every weekend of the year; if you would like to run with them ring Neil Clayton on 0113 2290924.

Skyrac on track

SKYRAC'S athletes were divided this weekend between two Winter Warm-Up track and field meetings. One was at Rotherham AC's Herringthorpe AC's Cleckheaton track. The three who went to Rotherham came away with eight medals: two gold and six silver.

In the Under-13 Girls' age group Bethany Staniland achieved three personal best performances and three second places. These were the result of 1min 50.0sec for the 600m; 4.19m for the long jump; and 7.51m for the shot putt (2.72kg). Amy Howard, competing for the first time in the Under-15 Girls' category, picked up two silver medals. She was second in both the shot (3.25kg) in 9.13m and discus (1kg), with 16.88m. Both were personal bests. She was also third in her heat of the 200m (29.7sec), giving her seventh overall 13-year-old out of 18 runs.

In the Under-15 Boys' events Andrew Staniland continued his fine early season form when he won the long jump (4.89m) and discus (1.25kg) with 23.92m. He also gained silver in the shot putt (4kg) with 7.33m. A report on the Spenborough meeting will appear next week.

Meanwhile, the last cross-country meeting of the season was the Bradford Schools' Championships at Northgate Park, Shipley. Bethany Staniland, of both Skyrac and Bradford Girls' Grammar School, came second out of 81 runners in the Under-12 Girl's race (2,700m).

Otley AC

OVER 35 Otley AC members travelled to Santon Bridge in the Lake District last weekend to enjoy the club's latest training weekend. Blessed with excellent weather and beautiful scenery, members were left with the difficult choice of either the numerous training runs available or to participate in the popular Coniston 14-mile road race on the Saturday.

The Coniston race was won by Don Naylor, of Hunters Bog Trotters (72.15), closely followed by Otley's Ian Fisher in second place (72.36) and Neil Cayton fourth (73.32). Otley grabbed the second team prize with Julian Mawson 37th (83.05) and Andrew Robertshaw 52nd (84.51).

An impressive further 12 members completed the challenging course around the lakeside road: John Armitstead (89.59), Max Jowett (96.38), Tom Hannah (97.33), Steve Mann (98.11), Nick Hodgkinson (99.26), Phil Robinson (100.41), Neil O'Brian (101.16), Colin Best (102.24), Dave Fox (102.39), Beth Massey (108.50), Carol Armitstead (110.23) and Andrew Sumner (132.00).

Thanks go to Tom Hannah for the organisation of the weekend and Barbara Hainsworth for the co-ordination of the catering arrangements.

Closer to home, Duncan Burgess continued his string of fine recent performances by finishing 11th in Sunday's Meanwood Valley eight-mile trail race (48.18) and Dave Cattanch was pleased with his time of 67.50.

This coming Saturday sees Otley entering a strong team in the prestigious North of England 12-stage road relays in Sunderland.

Entry for the 2000 Otley Ford Motors 10-mile Road Race, to be held on May 24, are available from the club on Tuesday and Thursday training nights at Otley RUFC, Cross Green, 7.15pm start.

Ilkley Harriers

A dozen Ilkley Harriers finished the popular Meanwood Valley Trail, eight miles over tracks, paths, and country. This year's running of the race was more popular than ever, with over 260 runners including the legendary Ron Hill in his 2049th competitive race.

The race was won by Bingley's Mick Hawkins in 45.53 and Pudsey's Sarah Rowell (winning for the third time) in 49.15, but Ilkley Harriers were well to the fore.

Andrew Wade continues to enjoy his purple patch, with 47.58 and 9thplace just reward for hard training. Close behind, second and third Vet 40s, were Malcolm Pickering in 14th place 48.34 and Nick Pearce 48.49 in 16th place. Mark Iley, 42nd in 53.08, was followed by Juan Ruiz with a storming run in 64th place with a great 55.24.

Ilkley had second (Sally Malir 55.42), third (Emma Barclay 56.20), and fourth (Johanne Kerr 57.58) ladies and if there had been a ladies' team prize Ilkley would have had their name on it.

There was a good Harriers turnout as this was a counter in our club Running League: in 123rd was Philip Chappell with 62.00, and Robert Templeman 67.40, Howard Allen 69.25, and Brian Sweet 78.19. Brian's perseverance in continuing after a turned ankle was rewarded with a 'Spot Prize'.

Meanwhile, up in the Lakes, three Harriers joined 1400 road-runners in the superb Coniston 14. Ewan Welch ran a fine 1.32; Dave Ibbotson's London preparations helped him enjoy his run in 1.48; and Janet Grace took 13 minutes off last year's time to clock 1.54.

On Thursday, March 30, the club will be having the first of its monthly social drinks nights, this time in the Wheatley at 20.30. All welcome, new and old, male and female, and whether or not you've been to Ken's Thursday night training (although you'd deserve the drink more then!)

Ilkley Harriers are a friendly running club - come along and run with us on a Tuesday or Thursday evening from Ben Rhydding Sports Club at 7pm, or find out more from our web site: www.daisyhill.demon.co.uk/ilkleyharriers.

Wharfedale Harriers

With the first FRA English Championship Race at the Wrekin on Sunday, many club members decided to rest their racing legs this last weekend, again leaving it to the hard core to represent the club at the Kendal Winter League Race up Arant Haw in the Howgills near Sedbergh.

In a race won by Billy Procter in 31.50, first home for Wharfedale was Andy Holden, continuing his good form of late to finish 4th in 34.23. Close behind was Steve Hounslow, 7th in 34.49, who had another very good run to claim a major scalp in beating the league leader Anthony Shepherd. Paul Rogan was next home, 9th in 36.42, followed by Damien Scholes 13th, 38.01and Kevin Rogan, 23rd, 48.07.

In the Under-17 boys Ross Whittaker again managed to split the Hounslow

brothers. Martin Hounslow picked up yet another third place in 17.52, followed by Ross, 5th in 18.47 and then Sam Hounslow 6th, 19.39. In the ladies race, Lynn Whittaker again ran well for third place in 28.00.

Away from the fells, Kate Rogan picked up 10th place in the British Colleges Cross-Country Championships. Perhaps somewhat relieved to get this last commitment of the winter season out of the way, Kate is now concentrating on a fell racing programme which will hopefully see her gain international honours again this season.

Next Wednesday's social run will start from the Craven Heifer at Kelbrook, meeting 6.45 to start running at 7pm prompt. All local runners are very welcome to join us.

Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Training takes place on Monday and Tuesday evenings from Silsden, and Thursday evening from Ilkley.

For more details please contact David Hird on 01535 653826 or visit the website at www.wharfedaleharriers.org.uk.

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