Athletics: There will be no respite during the festive season for Bradford Airedale's Steve Oldfield.

The Great Horton-based 42-year-old will be looking to end 1998 on a high note when he travels over the Pennines to compete in the "Felldancer" Whinberry Naze Dash at Rawtenstall on Boxing Day.

Although Steve is now classed as a veteran, he has been mixing it with the best over the fells this year. He clearly has serious aspirations for Saturday's race after a recce over the course recently.

Ian Holmes of Bingley holds the course record which he set in 1992 wearing fancy dress. He covered the 4.5 miles, which involves 800 feet of ascent, in 23min 35sec. Team-mate Carol Greenwood set the women's best with 28-05 the same year.

Saturday's race starts at 11.30am from Marl Pits Sports Centre, Rawtenstall, with seasonal fancy dress preferred.

Also on Boxing Day is the very popular Chevin Chase from the Aireborough Leisure Centre, Guiseley. This Aire Centre Pacers promotion starts at 11am and will cost affiliated runners £6 on the day, but there are T-shirts for the first 800 entries.

Registration for the seven mile race is between 9am-10am on the day, with a minimum age limit of 17-year-old. The route is predominantly off road and takes in the precipitous delights of Otley Chevin.

Runners looking for a road race should travel to Todmorden on Sunday for the Hot Toddy Six. The Todmorden Harriers promotion starts at 11am from the conservation area adjacent to the canal.

Entries will cost £4 on the day for the testing 5.8 mile course. The hilly town and country route skirts the foothills of Stoodley Pike before returning to a canal-side finish where a hot toddy welcomes all over-18-year-old finishers.

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