LOCAL runners competed on the wilds of Ovenden Moor on Saturday in the Tor Ovenden fell race over eight miles which had 1200 ft of climbing.

The rough, winter bogtrot started at Ogden reservoir and the winner was Bradford Airedale's Steve Oldfield who smashed the course record taking two seconds off the time set by Bingley's Robert Jebb.

The highest placed local runner was Skyrac's David Young who took sixth place in what was his last race in the open classes - a birthday on Tuesday putting him in the veterans section from now on.

His Skyrac team mate Howard Sawyer was 13th with fellow club members Ralph Warman 41st and Neil Clayton 66th.

Ilkley Harrier Rachel Gooch was 98th overall and took first lady over-45 prize.

Fellow Ilkley Harrier Ronnie Shackleton was 108th while Mark Southam - representing the now defunct Ilkley College - was 95th.

The men's team prize was won by Todmorden and the ladies' team prize was won by Bingley Harriers.

The Tor Ovenden was the first of 12 fell races in the South Pennines Grand Prix 2000 and for overall contenders for prizes they have to compete in eight of the 12 races. Those who do compete in eight races will receive a special memento.

Regular league tables will be displayed at races and on the race website at www.kpcs.demon.co.uk .

Further fell races in this Grand Prix are: Saturday, February 5 Ogden Moors Race over six miles from Ogden reservoir; Wednesday, May 3 Flowers Scar four mile race from Hare and Hounds, Todmorden; Wednesday, May 10 Blackstone Edge three-and-a-half mile race from Lydgate hamlet, Littleborough; Saturday, June 24 Tom Tittiman four mile race from Wadsworth Old Town village gala; Saturday, July 1 Erringden Moor eight-and-a-half mile race from Mytholmroyd; Tuesday, July 11 Stoodley Pike three-and-a-half mile long established race to the famous monument from Top Brink Inn, Lumbutts; Saturday, July 22 Turnslack eight mile race from Calderbrook football fields to the summit of Littleborough; Saturday, August 5 Churn Milk Joan seven mile race of Wadsworth Moor from Wadsworth Old Town, Hebden Bridge; Sunday, October 8 High Brown Knoll six-and-a-half mile race from Dusty Miller Inn, Mytholmroyd; Sunday, October 29 34th Gale Race over four-and-a-half miles from Todmorden Road, Gale; Saturday, November 4 six mile Shepherd's Skyline from Shepherd's Rest Inn, Lumbutts.

For further information regarding the races ring 01706 816323 or e-mail spgp@kpcs.demon.co.uk.

Otley AC to fore

IN the most important Cross-Country event of the season to date, the white and black vest of Otley AC was once again prominent throughout the field. In a strong senior men's race featuring several road, fell and country internationals, Ian Mitchell of Longwood edged Bingley's Whitfield and Leeds City's Hilton to take the title.

Yorkshire 10 mile Champion Ian Fisher ran 8th and recent Chevin Chase victor Neil Cayton was only one minute down in 17th position. Whilst Ian had stayed well over the early part of the race, keeping a close eye on the leading bunch, he suffered amongst the keen finishers and was run out in the last mile or so to finish outside the automatic County Selection placings (top 6).

However, with three discretionary places up for grabs Ian may be hopeful of a call-up after winning one West Yorkshire League match and running for Yorkshire on numerous occasions in recent months.

Neil Cayton is having an outstanding season and is closing in on the elite local athletes by the race; he settled nicely in one of the leading groups and never looked out of his depth on this testing 11km course.

With Dale Foster, Andrew Robertshaw and Neil Eccles all absent, recent recruit Mark Hall opened his account in creditable fashion, placing 58th in 41:21, with improver Duncan Burgess close behind in 65th and stalwart Julian Mawson 68th. Other finishers were: R. Hawksby (83), T. Hannah, N O' Brien and D. Cattanach, their placings yet to be confirmed.

Bingley took the team title with 63 points from Leeds City (78) and Hallamshire (156).

In the Senior Women's race, equally competitive, Laura Martin maintained her good early-season form to finish 30th in 26:39, Beth Massey was 49th and Jane Crapper finished 69th just the wrong side of 30 minutes. The race was won by Barnsley AC's Jilly Ingham. The team title went to home team Rotherham Harriers and Otley, with numerous absentees, did well to place 12th.

The following day the club put (or in some cases wheeled) out three teams in the Harrogate Ringway Relay. Over five legs of various distances (from 4km to 9km), 'All Stars' Laura Martin, David Fox, Andrew Robertshaw, Ray Hawksby and Ian Fisher won a magnificent race in a total time of 2hours 13:45. Ian went into the last leg almost four minutes down on the leader but stormed home a clear winner, completing his 5/6 mile leg in 30:52.

The President's team of Caroline Marler, Colin Best, Chris Carver, Tom Hannah and Nick Hodgkinson had some fun, with last man Nick nowhere to be seen as current President Tom approached the end of leg four - poor Tom was waved round again to complete the race, running nearly ten miles in the process. The total team time was just over 2:36.

This slight hiccup and the near cardiac arrest for Tom did not prevent the Presidents from giving the Secretary's squad a good beating. The Secretary's team of Sam Cartwright, Don Buffham, Phil Robinson, Neil O'Brien and Phil Dean were in contention over the first two legs but lost ground on the crucial mid-race section to record 2:45.45.

Overall, in a cracking event, Otley once again showed that it has the strength in depth to give most local teams a race and with new members joining by the week, the future for the club looks bright.

The Club meets at Otley RUFC every Tuesday and Thursday and welcomes male and female runners of all standards.

Skyrac fell

runners

SKYRAC AC, after almost 35 years as an athletics club, look forward to 2000 and confirmation of the lottery grant it is seeking as part of ANSA (the Aireborough Nunroyd Sports Association) which will hopefully provide a new clubhouse and enhanced facilities in conjunction with Green Lane Cricket Club, Aireborough RUFC and Guiseley Gremlins Junior Football Club.

The lottery bid is at the final approval stage and a new clubhouse would enhance the reputation of Skyrac providing for further expansion and would give the benefits of closer association with other sports.

Skyrac organise two fell races each year to dedicate the profits to the clubhouse fund and on Easter Sunday the fifth Guiseley Gallop multi-terrain race will cover its usual route around Esholt village.

The second race is the annual Otley Chevin Fell Race on Wednesday, June 7, which will be the 21st running of this event.

The Fellrunners Calendar for 2000 lists around 400 races and Skyrac athletes are now planning their race diaries. Spring brings the LDWA races.

Seven Skyrac athletes have entered the Wheeldale Tandem on Saturday, January 15.

Skyrac caters for all runners whether track, road or fell and it is a sociable club which welcomes new members. If you would like to talk about joining a running club then ring Sue or Neil on 0113 2290924.

Wharfedale Harriers

The very last race of the old millennium saw a victory for Wharfedale's Ted Mason on the fells at Skipton, letting rip on the sharp descent to overhaul race favourite Robert Hudson. If we can get him out training, great things can be expected from Ted in the BOFRA Championship this season.

To start the new millennium in similarly fine style, Kate Rogan had a wonderful run to finish 4th in the Under-20 category in the Yorkshire Cross-County Championships at Rotherham on Saturday, thus earning her first Yorkshire Vest with the chance to represent the county in the Inter-Counties Championships.

On the same day, Bob Hamilton and Des O'Regan ventured to Ogden Reservoir for the Ovenden Tor fell race over eight miles and 1200 ft, the first event of the South Pennines Grand Prix Series.

Bob, defending his 1999 Grand Prix V40 title, ran a competitive race to finish 8th in 61.25, followed home by Des who finished 21st in 65.05.

Sunday saw several members trek into the dales for a Kendal Winter League race at Burton-in-Lonsdale, most notably the indefatigable Kate who finished 2nd in the ladies event despite her exertions of the previous day.

Wharfedale Harriers is a family oriented club aiming to promote fell and cross-country running across all ages and abilities. Training takes place Monday to Thursday evenings from Silsden, Skipton and Ilkley. For more details please contact David Hird on 01535 653826.

Skyrac's Bethany

is top ranked

The new year has seen the release of the 1999 U.K Athletics Rankings for the Under- 11 age groups and Skyrac's Bethany Staniland is included in three events.

Despite competing in the Under-13 Girls age group for all the 1999 season , 11 year- old Bethany, by virtue of a May birthday , found that her early season performances included her in the Under 11 girls ranking lists.

She is 17th in the 600m (1min 57.2s), 18th in the 150m (22.7s) and 20th in the 800m (2mins 44.8s ).

lkley Harriers

THIRTY five Ilkley Harriers were out racing last Sunday in the Harrogate Ringway Relay and Sports Direct cross country event at Temple Newsham.

Despite the early morning chill it was a wonderful day to be out running. One of the best performances of the day was Sally Malir's third place in a time of 35.02 in the five mile cross country race.

Competing in the same event, Ros Blackburn (41.35), Shirley Wood (41.45), Janet Souyave (42.25) and Jo Foster (42.35) all grouped well to bring the team home.

The remaining Harriers made up six teams of five runners in the Ringway relay. Every runner worked hard to ensure their team achieved its best. Each of the six teams completed the 20-mile course in less than three hours.

The Flyers team was only beaten by a minute or so, recording an excellent time of two hours and 15 minutes. The Panthers team showed their name was well suited as they powered to 4th place in two hours 55 minutes. The Whippets finished 6th, the Eagles 11th, closely followed by the Gazelles. The Optimists secured 17th place.

The Harriers are holding their annual party on January 22 at Ilkley Tennis Club. Tickets available from Bernie Conner (£10 each including food and disco). The first Thursday night club night was successful and more members are encouraged to attend.

Next Tuesday is the traditional annual handicap race. This 4.75 mile event will be held at the club. Fancy dress is optional. Any time keepers out there will be very welcome. New members can still attend and will be looked after on the night.

The club meets at 7pm at Ben Rhydding Sports Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact Ken Souyave on 01943 862096. Ken will take out an additional run from the Old Bridge, Ilkley, on Sunday at 9.30am.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.