A bumper turn-out of 230 young runners enjoyed a series of primary-school cross-country races at Bradford Grammar School on Wednesday.
Pupils from Blakehill, Bradford Grammar School, Eldwick, Greengates, Grove House, Lady Lane, St Walburga’s and Wibsey schools entered the four races for years Three to Four and Five to Six boys and girls.
The Bradford schools were joined by schools including The Grammar School at Leeds. They and the host team were particularly successful.
Bradford Grammar’s highlight was in the boys' year Five to Six category, where Emerson James (first), Ben Schofield (second) and Sam Linfield (fourth) secured the overall team prize.
Many of the other schools are receiving coaching from Bradford-Airedale, Eccleshill, Ilkley Harriers and St Bede’s clubs.
This event was the second of three races in one of several cross-country leagues across the district organised by Bradford Schools' Athletic Association and the Bradford Athletics Network.
The Wadsworth Full and Half Trog races attracted a committed following of off-road enthusiasts last weekend with their blend of superb scenery and challenging routes.
The Full Trog, a 20-mile Odyssey including 4,000 feet of climbing from Hebden Bridge, was led home by Tom Brunt of Holmfirth in 3hr 24min.
Jason Stevens and Simon Bourne (both Calder Valley) and Andy Nicholl (Bingley Harriers) took the first three male over-40s places and finished in the top ten overall.
Helen Jackson (Bingley) was a clear winner of the ladies’ event with a time of 3hr 43min, earning 25th overall in a field of 120.
The Half Trog offered a more condensed nine-mile route with 1,500 feet of climbing, and was completed by 55 competitors.
Top-three finishes for Steve Oldfield and Shaun Godsman secured the team prize for Calder Valley, with Dave Beels providing good support in seventh.
Team-mate Jo Buckley was the first lady home in 1hr 43min 17sec. Lee Athersmith of Bingley Harriers was the overall winner in 1hr 26min 13 sec.
Intrepid local participants included St Bede’s runners Jack Verity (24th) and Dave Armstrong (32nd), while Neil Fairburn of Baildon Runners finished just behind.
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