Athletics: Pudsey and Bramley's Gary Devine will lead his club as they attempt to win back their title at Saturday's Ian Roberts Memorial Road and Fell Relay near Huddersfield.

The top fell runner and former British champion set the fastest time of the day in last year's event from Marsden Cricket Club, but found it only good enough to place his club third, after dominating the competition for some six years previously.

Devine will be joined by fellow international Paul Sheard in the race hosted annually by Holmfirth Harriers as a tribute to their former club captain, who was killed in 1979 when struck by lightning while climbing in the French Dolomite mountains.

Teams of four runners compete over alternate four-mile road and fell sections, the fastest leg times being remarkably similar. Bingley's Colin Moore shares the best road mark of 20min 30sec with Graham Elus of the host club, while the quickest fell time stands at just 28 seconds slower to John Wild (RAF Cosford). Entries will be taken on the day up until 1.30pm, half an hour before the start time.

Burley-in-Wharfedale-based distance man Tony Gill has been called up to represent Yorkshire in the 20-mile Inter-Counties Road Racing Championship later this month. Gill received his call from the selectors to join the team at Finchley on March 29.

Reigning Yorkshire champion over the distance, Spenborough's Jeff Hornby has declined an invitation to join the squad due to other racing commitments.

Gill will be joined by 1997 Bingley Half Marathon winner John Convery, along with Yorkshire 15-mile champion Dave Watson (Holmfirth Harriers) and former Inter-Counties 20 champion Dave Bond (Askern AC).

The ever-popular Spen 20 road race goes ahead on Sunday from Princess Mary Stadium, Cleckheaton (11am).

The 20-mile championship was won by Hornby last year when his team-mate Darren Hanson claimed the county bronze behind Bingley's Martin Peace. This year's race looks wide open, as none of these men have entered.

Reigning women's county title-holder Denise Dean of the promoting Spenborough Club has been called up for the Inter-Counties event a week later, and her absence could leave the way clear for team-mate Kath Drake to take overall and county honours.

Youngsters from the region will compete in the North East Regional Sportshall finals on Saturday at Thornaby on Tees in Cleveland. A 42-strong team, made up of youngsters from West Yorkshire Schools, will be seeking qualifying places for the National finals in Birmingham on April 18.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.