Athletics: Bingley's Mick Hawkins is hoping to continue his run of good form in the Abbey Dash Leeds 10km on Sunday.

The 37-year-old teacher struggled to make an impact in the early-season steeplechase events, but he has been mixing it with the best recently on the road and over the country.

Hawkins raced neck and neck with team-mate Steve Green in a 10km race at Edinburgh in October, and was then selected to represent Yorkshire at the Barnsley 10km, where he clocked a creditable 31-04, over a hilly course.

The Abbey Dash is an event which usually produces a hot pace.

The flat course is tailor-made for fast times, as reflected by the course records set by Justin Hobbs (28min 45sec) and the women's best by Jill Hunter (32min 15 sec).

Bingley veteran Les Haynes was third for England in a Home International cross-country race in Wales last weekend and he is also looking for a good performance.

But he might be hampered by a cold although he says he will start and give it his "best shot".

Another local favourite, Kath Drake of Spenborough, is entered.

The Lower Wyke housewife has already raced in over 100 events in what has been another successful season.

She captured the Snowdonia Marathon title in 3-07-26 in October, and may well still be feeling its effects over this sprint although she is sure to show her normal determined style.

Sportage, the event organisers, are fully expecting to reach the race limit of 2,000 runners.

That will mean there will be no entries on the day.

Further details can be obtained from Sportage 0113-2796000.

The race starts at 9.30am in Wellington Street, and goes out along Kirkstall Road before looping around Kirkstall Abbey and returning to Leeds to finish outside the Town Hall.

As an alternative, the Bolton by Bowland Fell race near Clitheroe usually attracts strong local interest.

Sunday's race has an 11.30am start, and with just over 800 feet of ascent over the eight mile course. Times are generally quick as Sean Livesey's course record 44-18 proves.

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