Fine concentration and quick speed was needed as orienteers navigated their way through the intricate lanes and back alleys of the popular market town of Knaresborough.

The courses also included the newer housing estates on the edge of the town centre and the calf-sapping hills around the castle.

Baildon’s Steve Watkins was a clear winner on the 6.7km A course, finishing over three minutes ahead of Manchester’s Steve Dempsey, with fellow Airienteer Adrian Pickles a further 50 seconds behind.

On the 5.4km B course, Calverley’s British sprint champion Maurice Calvert showed his class in this format of the sport, winning by over a minute from Eborienteer Steve Whitehead, with Charlotte Ward from Humberside finishing third, 28 seconds further adrift.

Dewsbury’s Andis Celinkis was winning the 4.3km C course at the halfway stage but a mistake on the 11th control cost him valuable time to Cleveland’s Jill Libby, who capitalised to win by over two minutes as Andis hung on to second place.

The club host the popular sprint event on Woodhouse Moor and the Leeds University campus on Wednesday. All are welcome and more details can be found at www.aire.org.uk.

Full positions for Airienteers for Knaresborough - A course: Steve Watkins (1), Adrian Pickles (3), Leon Foster (4), Sam Brown (7), Richard Foster (8), Lee Beavers (12), Andrew Kelly (14), Jack Cooper (16), Peter Jones (19). B course: Maurice Calvert (1), Ruth Ker (4), Tony Carlyle (6), Peter Jones (9), Nick Jones (10), David Shelley (11), Simon Brook (20), Ian Hill (31), Guy Patterson (32), Valerie Gilleard (34), Howard Sawyer (mp). C course: Andis Celinskis (2), Wendy Carlyle (9), Alexandra Watkins (10). D course: Katherine Hill (8). E course: Daniel Calvert (4), Miles Gilleard (7).