SALTAIRE Striders consolidated their team standings in Sunday’s third race in the five-event PECO CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE. Conditions were perfect – blue skies, but frosty, hard ground underfoot – for the 4.8-mile run through parklands and woods around West and Beckett parks in North Leeds.

In the 21-strong league, both men’s and women’s teams were third on the day.

The men stand second overall in the Premier Division, behind Valley Striders, but with East Leeds-based St Theresa’s AC now breathing down their necks.

Saltaire’s ladies are third, behind Valley and Kirkstall. Lesley Watson (the registered second-claimer), Jen Willingham and Steph Wilson bunched well in 20th, 25th and 29th respectively. Amanda Bellwood (41st) and Tracy Foy (79th) were the crucial final counters.

Pete Hopson and an under-the-weather Will Kerr were 12th and 18th in the men’s race, with Andy Bedford (38th), Sam Wallis (61st), Ali Nash (75th), Stuart Dunbar (85th), Paul Rhodes (105th) and Ian Ogden (108th) being the Saltaire men’s scorers.

In the lower divisions, Ilkley Harriers are struggling to avoid relegation from Division One of the men’s league.

However, Pudsey & Bramley and Wharfedale are both entering far stronger teams and are challenging for promotion to replace them.

Equally, for the women, Ilkley and Eccleshill are fighting relegation from Division One, while Airecentre Pacers are the best placed of the Bradford area clubs in Division Two.

A total of 416 men and 267 women took part, plus 112 juniors. In the younger age group, Bingley Harriers’ Alex Flaherty won by a huge distance in 5min 50sec for the nominal one-mile run for school years four to six. Bingley’s junior cross-country coach Tony Kingham sees him as a runner with huge potential.

In the school years seven to 12 age group, Bingley’s Reuben Mantle was a good second, just behind Wetherby’s far older Robert Ethrington. Ilkley’s Jemima Elgood was fastest of the girls over this two-mile course.

The WEST YORKSHIRE WINTER LEAGUE held its second fixture of the season on Sunday too at Stainland. Results were not available at the time of going to press.