Quite why 442 runners should make their way on New Year's Eve to a rain lashed Penistone Hill to run six miles through mud and standing water over Haworth Moor in the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race is one of life's mysteries.

Perhaps it was to see if England international 'Roadrunner' Andi Jones (Salford) could retain the trophy he won last year from Ian Holmes (Bingley) after Ian's decade of dominance.

If so the answer was no because Ian, although now running as a V40, won the event yet again in 40.55 and Andi, admittedly running in policeman regalia, only came in fifth (41.45).

This was slightly ironic because to avoid moor erosion the Woodheads had re-routed the course to the Stanbury Splash route which contains long sections of track which should be right up Andi's street. Perhaps Andi didn't like getting his feet wet because Splash refers to the two crossings of a raging stream.

For Skyrac Max Wood, who works in London and commutes on a weekly basis, put in his annual appearance clocking the six miles towards his 2006 London Marathon training.

Max finished 330th in 67.06, Rob Weston was 102nd, Graham Breeze was 179th and second V60 in 57.43, Malcolm Coles was 259th in 62.04.

It feels good to get a fell race in your legs on New Year's Day and the three mile Giant's Tooth race fits the bill. Seventy-seven runners turned up at Ogden Water where the winner, in a record time, was Karl Gray (Calder Valley) in 16.48. For Skyrac Graham Breeze was 24th and First V60 in 21.25, also a record time, and Roger Dawson was 68th in 29.34.

Skyrac AC is based at Nunroyd Park on the Guiseley/Yeadon boundary and enjoys the facilities of the magnificent ANSA clubhouse. Skyrac can be contacted via www.skyrac.org.uk or 01943 874046.

Otley Athletic Club

Three Otley AC members lined up a crisp morning with a light dusting of snow to run in last Tuesday's ever popular Jolly Holly Jog hosted by Ripon Runners.

The course though Studley Royal saw the ever improving Jamil finish fourth in a time of 34.36 just under three mins faster than last year. David Fox finished in a creditable time of 45.19 followed by Peter McGouran 46.09.1st Ricky Stephenson 33.11

On New Year's Eve nine hardy souls from Otley AC braved the pouring rain and wind in the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race from Penistone Hill near Haworth. This year's race was over a new route and was made interesting by the conditions especially the stream crossing.

Winner Ian Holmes did 40.55. while Dale Foster, in disguise as Robin was first Otley runner home in 53.11. Other Otley finishers were David Fox (61.44), Phil Robinson(62.15), Helen Walsh (64.00), Andy Sumner (64.48), Tom Hannah (64.51), Colin Best (65.22), Don Buffham (67.30), Bob Payne (75.00), Emma Payne ( 89.00).

Next Saturday is the club handicap from the Square aand Compass, North Rigton, at 10.45am. On Sunday three teams have been entered in the Harrogate Ringway.

Training nights are as usual Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.15pm from Otley RUFC. New members are welcome, more details are on the website www.otleyac.co.uk.

Ilkley Harriers

ILKLEY Harriers enjoyed a feast of racing over Christmas and the New Year. Christmas started Early for Ilkley Harriers with a Fun Relay around Middleton. A dozen teams of five runners raced around the 1.5-mile figure-of-eight circuit, and mince pies and mulled wine were enjoyed by all afterwards.

There were nearly 40 Harriers in the Chevin Chase on Boxing Day.

The next day 18 Harriers made the trip over to Clitheroe to run a reasonably fast Ribble Valley 10k in almost perfect conditions.

There was a high class field in this race won by Tomas Abyu (Salford Harriers) in 29.33, with first lady Helen Clitheroe (Preston Harriers), who will be competing in the Commonwealth Games, running 32.20.

Ilkley had two couples who ran exceptionally good PBs. Lawrence Basham ran 36.52, a PB by more than 1.30, whilst Gemma Basham ran 48.50, a PB by more than five minutes, both having run the Chevin Chase the previous day.

Mark Teasey and partner Sarah Jarvis, both ran under 40 minutes for the first time, Mark running 38.53, a PB by more than 1.30, whilst Sarah ran 39.2, a PB by more than three minutes.

In the junior ladies Ilkley had second claim Eleanor Kitchen third in 43.40, with 15 year-old Catherine Gibbons fifth, completing her first 10k race in 47.05, and Mary Gibbons seventh in 54.14.

One common factor with all these performances is the athletes regularly attend Pete Shields' Thursday training sesssions, and it is clear these speed and endurance sessions are now paying off.

These were by no means the only good performances and the full Ilkley results were:

89, Lawrence Basham 36.52; 109, Billy Kerr 37.35 (12th V45); 112, Dave Mathews 37.43 (6th V55); 148, Neil Chapman 38.51(6th V50); 152, Mark Teasey 38.53; 164, Sarah Jarvis 39.21 (10th open lady); 165, Andy Wiggans 39.22; 201, Geoff Howard 40.18 (4th V60); 232, Andrew Herbert 41.25; 262, Pete Shields 42.26 (12th V55); 307, Eleanor Kitchen 43.40 (3rd junior lady); 329, Keith Wood 44.18; 341, Dave Taylor 44.33; 347, Di Kitchen 44.39 (4th FV45); 447, Catherine Gibbons 47.05 (5th junior lady); 514, Gemma Basham 48.50; 525, Andy Kitchen 49.34; 647, Mary Gibbons 54.14 (seventh junior lady)

Ilkley men's open team finished 18th, the men's veterans team was seventh, and the open ladies team were third, and included two of the junior runners.

The same day, the Jolly Holly Jog, in Ripon saw Jamie Hutchinson 39th in 40.36; and John Coates 138th in 47.35 And in the Lancaster Moor Hospital Fun Run, Alison Bennett came in 4th Lady in 14:47 followed by Junior Ilkley Harriers Adam and Tom.

The Auld Lang Syne Fell Race, is a popular way to see out the year, six miles in grim conditions over the Bronte Moors, with a fabulous prizegiving in a welcoming pub at the end.

Ilkley results were: 38, Stefan Macina 47.58; 45, Jason Hemsley 48.55; 47, Jamie Hutchinson 48.58; 54, Jim Ryder 49.37; 62, Graham Pearce 50.34; 94, Mark Iley 52.37; 113, Mike Baldwin 53.40; 127, Helen Sedgwick 54.17; 162, Morgan Williams 56.43; 186, Andy Wiggans 58.15; 221, Jo Foster 59.54; 222, Kelly Harrison 60.00; 223, Bob Wightman 60.02; 262, Keith Wood 62.08; 289, Peter Cooke 63.51; 291, Jon Tindall 63.57; 336, Peter Bedwell 67.47; 346, Ed Battye 68.21; 367, Helena Deeney 69.56; 385, Phil Chappell 71.38; 411, Bob Payne 75.39; 431, Emma Payne 90.58

Ilkley Harriers training is now back in full swing. If you're training for the London Marathon, or you've made a New Year's Resolution to get fit, or you're just looking for a friendly bunch of people to run with, go down to Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm. More info on www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk