OTLEY'S Frank Beresford ventured to Glenridding in the Lake District at the weekend to take part in the British Athletics European Championship Trial.

The race attracted an elite field of 26 athletes from across Britain who were bidding to win places in the Great Britain team for the event in Madeira, Portugal on July 4.

The trial should have involved 950 metres of ascent over seven miles but due to the bad weather it was cut to just over six miles.

Frank finished 14th in 52min :50sec with the winner being Andrew Douglas (Inverclyde AC) in 47:37.

Frank said: "After the London Marathon I took a few easy weeks and have gradually built up my mileage to around 70 quality base ones in preparation for my next main objective, the Yorkshire Marathon.

"The race unexpectedly started off much like a road race, fast; and having learnt my lesson from past events decided to keep in the middle of the pack and not go off too fast. I pretty much stayed there for the entire race as the leader really did just fly off.

"The first three miles didn't have a considerable amount of ascent and I was pleased to clock a 4:50 minute mile in mile three, although there was a slight decent. After that the real work began and the course was all uphill.

"My legs and lungs have never hurt like this before and combined with a strong headwind and hail stone, it was hard. I battled through this and was pleased to pick off a few runners during the three mile ascent.

When I arrived at the finish my legs were on fire and decided, because of the weather, to descend as soon as possible. I found this enjoyable as the weather seemed to clear as soon as the race had finished, and I was able to take in the impressive views and have a chat with some of the other runners."

Meanwhile Stephen Boddy ran the Edinburgh Marathon finishing in 3:40:13, and knocking an impressive 36 minutes off his previous time at that distance, while In the half-marathon Jeremy Stewart finishing in 1:20:01 to knock nine minutes off his PB.

The marathon winner was Peter Wanjiru in 2:19:36, and the first lady was Joan Kigen in 2:39:42. The half-marathon winner was Thomas Porter 1:08:58 and the first lady was Gemma Rankin in 1:17:21.

In last Thursday's Apperley Bridge Canter 10k multi-terrain race, Tom Midgley was first home for Otley in 16th place in 38:17 followed by Mark Hall (21st in 39:38).

Also for Otley were Eriks Zvaigzne (49:25), Andrew Rayner (51:32), Sara Elliott (52:50), Lisa Maughan (55:35), Sara Richard (57:41) and Toni Midgley and Sean O'Halloran tying in 1:01:32.

The winner was Philip Tedd (Thames Hare & Hounds) in 34:52 and the first lady was Rachel Bourne (Hyde Park Harriers) in 41:12.

There was a good representation from Airecentre Pacers at last week’s Apperley Bridge Canter.

Nicky Jovanovic was the first runner home for the Pacers in 44min 15sec, coming 87th overall out of over 400 runners . Rebecca Streets was first lady across the line in 50:24.

Andrew Tesseyman was next in 54:58 followed by Sharon Warrington in 1:00:37, Jen Sebright- Pickard 1:04:26, Elinor Newhouse 1:04:33, Jane Tesseyman 1:04:36, Ashraf el Kurdi 1:09:50 , Rachel Jovanovic 1:14:14 and Amanda Connolly in 1:16:04 .

Will Morris and Matt Tupling will be stretching their legs this Saturday over the longer distance of a half marathon in the Wharfedale Trail , a tough off road event with more than its fair share of hills