Athletics: Guiseley based club Skyrac are promoting the third race in the West Yorkshire Cross Country League, at Nunroyd Park on Sunday.

The first two races at Northcliffe, Shipley and Nell Bank, Ilkley have given little indication as to where the mens title will eventually go.

Holmfirth's Paul Thompson and Bingley's John Convery currently share the lead with 8 points each in the senior men's category and both runners will be seeking to strengthen their challenge for honours.

With the best three scores out of four races to count, the destination of championship awards will be a lot clearer after the Guiseley event.

Richard Findlow was a clear winner of the first race ahead of Longwood's Ian Mitchell and Spenborough's Jeff Hornby, but all opted out of the next race at Ilkley where Skyrac's Chris Bryan took top honours, ahead of Otley's Ian Fisher.

The 23-year-old Mitchell was back in action last Saturday in the Yorkshire Championship at Rotherham, where he narrowly failed to clinch gold.

Fisher was also in splendid form in that race just missing out on a medal in forth place.

The 28-year-old trainee computer programmer, who lives in Idle, missed the first race because he was in the Lake District winning the Langdale half marathon, but will be a definite starter on Sunday. Fisher who has run for Otley AC since 1991 is unlikely to feature in the team awards, where Holmfirth's men have developed a stronghold.

The individual ladies title could well be decided if Carol Greenwood of Bingley decides to run.

The 1999 Yorkshire champion has convincingly won both races so far and has the West Yorkshire title within her grasp.

Fellow fell running international Jane Clark of Pudsey and Bramley is the defending champion and has been runner up to Greenwood twice.

And Keighley and Craven's Karen Slater moved from sixth in the Northcliffe event to third at Ilkley.

Spenborough's Kath Drake has also featured strongly in both races but has been out of action of late with an injury and remains doubtful for Sunday as does Jo Prowse of Keighley who has yet to find full fitness after a fall.

This could have serious consequences to the destination of the ladies team award as there is currently a three way tie between Bingley, Pudsey and Bramley, and Keighley and Craven.

And the final race of the championship will be at Woodside, Bradford on Saturday, February 13.

Sunday's event gets underway with the under-13 girls race at 12 noon and concludes at 2.30pm with the senior men's race.

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