Athletics: Despite it being only the second week in May, the Yorkshire track and field championships is already upon us and will beheld over the weekend at Princess Mary's, Cleckheaton.

Athletes are looking for early signs of form in what will be a busy season and European indoor 3000 metres champion John Mayock has entered both 800 and 1500m events - giving some of our region's best the chance to upstage the Cannock and Staffs man.

The 1500m race in particular has Yorkshire cross country champion Kim Critchley and silver medallist Ian Mitchell of Longwood entered along with Skyrac's Chris Bryan, Greg Hull of Leeds and Bingley's John Convery who hopefully will have recovered from his exploits in the London marathon.

John Mayock's wife Charlotte has entered the women's 3000m race where Sheffield's Penny Thackray looks favourite. Bingley's Ruth Whitehead will compete in this event but team-mate Victoria Wilkinson is still undecided whether she will toe the line.

In the 800m former Longwood girl Paula Fryer now of Sale will be the one to beat, while Bingley's Leone Dickinson will be hopeful of a medal in the high jump.

The highlight of this weekends fell racing fixtures is the P&O Knockdown Home International from Cairn Castle in Northern Ireland.

Several local runners have been selected to represent England over a 4.7 mile course with 1470 feet of ascent.

Bingley's Robert Jebb will lead the senior men's team, he has been in tremendous form of late and is currently lying second in this year's English Championships.

Team-mate and former British champion Mark Kinch also makes the trip along with Pudsey and Bramley new recruit Robert Hope and Adam Crossland, the Huddersfield-based youngster now of Trafford.

England's veteran team looks particularly strong and includes Steve Oldfield of Bradford Airedale.

The Great Horton-based athlete is in great shape and running full of confidence.

He was leading in the ten-mile Ravenstone's Brow race at Saddleworth on Saturday at the halfway stage when he strayed off course along with three other runners due to poor course markings.

Dave Neill of Mercia, Merv Keys of Rossendale and Clayton Le Moor's Mike Wallis complete the veterans squad.

Road runners are catered for on Sunday with the Longwood 10-miler from Zeneca Recreation Club, Leeds Road, Huddersfield which has a 10am start.

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