Athletics: The highly-popular "Soreen" Stanbury Splash takes place on Sunday from Penistone Hill Country Park, Haworth (11.30am).

Some of the county's top fell runners will be attracted to the event, including Bingley's British champion Ian Holmes.

Last year Holmes completed a hat-trick of wins to emulate former British champion Colin Donnelly, and will be aiming for a unique fourth win this time, and it's going to take someone special to stop him.

He was pushed all the way to his victory in 1998 when Borrowdale's Gavin Bland arrived from the Lake District, the pair leading home the massive 350 entrants.

Indeed, such is the popularity of the event, the start has had to move out of Stanbury village, although the course takes in Stanbury Moor and Ponden Kirk before reaching the 'trig point' for a fast finish back at Penistone Hill.

Some of the region's other runners who have pledged to tackle the seven- mile route are Pudsey and Bramley contingent Gary Devine, Paul Sheard and Gary Oldfield.

Bingley duo Robert Jebb and Robin Lawrence should feature, and Tod-morden's Sean Willis and Andy Wrench could also have an impact.

The highly-talented Mark Horrocks (Clayton-le-Moors) has also entered, and Bradford Airedale's Steve Old-field must surely start as favourite in the veteran's category.

The women's race could be interesting, depending upon whether four- time winner Carol Greenwood decides to enter.

The Bingley international has been niggled by a slight injury since winning the Yorkshire cross-country title at Rotherham a fortnight ago.

Ilkley's Tracey Ambler - a winner of the Stoop race in December - should be a leading contender, along with team-mate Helen Johnson, while Holmfirth's Lisa Lacon, so often a runner up in the region's fell races, must surely have a glory run soon.

There is also a locals trophy on offer for those who reside within 11/2 miles of the course, and the prize will be keenly contested.

Winner last year was Keighley and Craven's Craig Bottomley from Stan-bury, and he will be up against Colin Moses - an Oldfield resident and Bingley Harrier.

Ian Ferguson, a prolific race winner and the man who introduced Ian Holmes to fell racing, could be making a comeback and, as a resident of Haworth, will also contest the trophy.

A Soreen malt loaf - a rich source of energy - will be given to every finisher in the main event, and a luxury goody bag will be received by every finisher in the preceding junior races.

Under-nine, under-12 and under-14 one-mile races start at 10.30am, and the under-16 two-mile run at 10.45am.

The third fixture of the five-race West Yorkshire Winter League series is also on Sunday from Danefield car park on Otley Chevin (11am). The five-mile course takes in two laps, with a steep uphill finish, which should suit Eccleshill fell specialist Steve Bottomley.

Leader after two events is Baildon's Quentin Lewis, Tim Ashleford (Aire-borough Triathlon) hoping to make an impression on home soil. Dewsbury's Treena Carney has won both women's events so far.

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