Athletics: The Jack Bloor Fell Race from Ilkley College had an exciting finish as the first five runners crossed the line within four seconds of each other.

Chumbawumba guitarist 'Bof' Whalley of Pudsey and Bramley edged out Eccleshill's Steve Bottomley to win, with local star Jason Helmsey in third.

Shane Green had to settle for fourth after looking a likely winner before the descent to the finish and the Pudsey and Bramley man was credited with the same time as Keighley and Craven's Jeff Emmott who claimed top veterans prize in fifth overall.

Ilkley's Malcolm Pickering was second veteran in eighth while Fellandale's Alan Judd was top man over-50s in 21st place.

Bingley's Charlotte Sanderson did just enough to win the women's race and Emma Barclay (Ilkley) got the verdict over Keighley's Jo Ann Prowse for second place although both were credited with the same time.

Jo continues to improve and is regaining fitness after spending the winter on the injury list.

In the junior race Jack Weedon held off Keighley and Craven team-mate Caleb Wetherell by one second to win with Laura Kirk of Skyrac beating the boys for third place.

On Saturday the West Nab Fell Race at Meltham in Huddersfield will be the venue for the second race in the English Junior/ Intermediate Champion-ship plus the Yorkshire Junior Championships.

Racing starts at noon with the under-12s event and the senior event goes at 2.45pm over six miles with just over 2,000 feet of ascent.

The track season continues this weekend with the youngsters contesting McDonald's League events.

The boys travel to Rotherham on Sunday where 14-year-old Bingley Grammar School student Ben Manchester will hope to continue the good form he showed in last weekend's York-shire Championships where he won two golds.

The girls match will be at Scunthorpe also on Sunday.

Bingley's men embark on their new season in the Northern Men's League with a trip to Stockport on Saturday.

Road runners will also have to travel this weekend to find competition. The major event will be the Leeds Full and Half Marathons with a 10am start.

Martin Farran is the region's best hope for honours, the ex-Longwood captain now turns out in the blue and gold of Leeds.

Farran was a silver medallist in the Yorkshire 20 Mile Championships in March and has a victory in the Calderdale Marathon and a third place in the Sheffield Marathon to his name.

Two ten kilometre races are on the calendar, at Beverley 11.15am and Sandal Castle from Pugney's Country Park, Wakefield which starts at 10.30am.

Looking further ahead next Tuesday from Esholt Sports Club is the Aire 5km and from the same venue the following Sunday is the Baildon Boundary Way.

There are no entries on the day more details can be obtained from Julie Holdsworth on 587263.

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