More than 270 runners competed in the sunshine at Bramham Park last Sunday in a ranking event which attracted orienteers from across the region.

The fast terrain of parkland and mixed woodland was more of a physical than a technical challenge, where even small navigational errors were costly.

The courses, varying in distance and technical difficulty, were well-planned by Chris Burden of Shipley and ranged from the 10.31km Black course for M21 runners to 1.75km for younger juniors. Andrew Preston, of Sheffield, won the Black course in a sizzling 66.05km, with Airienteer Paul Liepins of Dewsbury second in 67.22. Mark Mon-Williams of Ilkley and Gregg Hull of Guiseley also had good runs in 70.46 and 74.03 respectively.

But the run of the day was posted by Dave Bowman, of Guiseley, who won the 8.89km Brown course by two seconds from Sheffield’s Simon Martland, finishing in 53.15, while Headingley’s Tim Patterson was third in 53.45.

Other Airienteers were Alistair Wood in 63.14 and Faye Pinker, first woman in 72.04.

The 6.39km Blue course, won by Cleveland’s Robin Bergstrand in 43.29, was equally competitive. Adam Smith was first Airienteer home posting 46.35 in second place, while Ilkley’s Frank Kew was sixth in 49.21.

Three other Airienteers who made it into the top ten were Baildon’s Cerys Jones in 50.08, veteran international Ruth Ker in 50.14 and Skipton’s Martyn Gill in 50.32.

Other winners for Airienteers were Mike Cox of Scholes, Leeds, who won the 4.63km Green course in 35.08, and new member Ashley Stratton-Powell ,who won the 4.64km Long Orange course in 39.16. Other prominent results for Airienteers were: Blue course (6.39km) Rebecca Mon-Williams (50.37), Tony Thornley (51.07), Dave Shelley (51.16), Ian Marshall (52.45), Sophie Brown (52.54), Peter Jones (53.22), Simon Bowens (56.27), Jeremy Walford (58.32), Ken Patterson (60.34). Green course (4.63km): Lee Beavers (36.27), Ruaridh Mon-Williams (36.50), Jonathan Smith 43.11), Stephen Bell (44.17), Lowri Jones (45.43), Tom Crowther (45.55), Tom Convery (46.33), Hilary Allen (48.01). Light Green course (3.79km): Miles Gilleard (50.40), Helen Cox (60.02), Katherine Hill (62.40). Orange course (4.64km): Gillian Gaskin (47.58). Yellow course: (1.96km), Samuel Winter/Jonathan Hall (14.30). White course (1.75km): Annie Brown (14.43), William Smith (18.36).

Airienteers travel to Northern Ireland for the annual JK Festival of orienteering over Easter. The next Saturday O-Lite event is at Baildon Moor on April 30 at 1pm, while the first event in the Aire Spring Sprint League is at Bramley Fall on Wednesday, May 4 at 6.30pm.