Keighley-based runners put the area firmly on the athletics map in the North of England Cross Country Championships last weekend.

Bingley Harriers took third place behind Sale Harriers of Manchester and Salford while the Keighley & Craven Club took eighth place.

"Considering the club is only two years old it was a tremendous performance to get into the top 10. Alongside last year's success of the women's English Fell championship winning team, it establishes the club as a force in the region," said a club spokesman.

Individually the competition for places was as fierce as the win which cut through the field at Temple Park, South Shields. Adrian Jones led the K&C team home in 79th place with ever improving Chris Loftus backing up in 106th place. James Callaghan managed to hold off three team mates in 118th followed by Lawrence Hellawell and Darren Brame in 120th and 121st.

Veteran Jonnie Butler displayed a promising return to form to complete the scoring in 133rd spot. Martin Horbury missed the scoring six despite putting in a creditable performance to finish in 15th from about 600 starters.

Other local individuals were Colin Moore (23rd), Steve Green (35th), Andy Peace (49th), Stuart Macdonald (55th), Paul Ogalbe (199th) and Graham Smith (399th). Former Oakworth man Matt Whitfield finished fourth, just missing out on an individual medal.

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