Otley Athletics Club’s activity last week began with Karen and Lloyd Best taking part in the Stirton Fell Race.

The race was won by Gareth Hird of Wharfedale Harriers in 37min 12ssec. Rob Shaw, of Keighley & Craven, was second and Nick Charlesworth of Wharfedale Harriers. third.

Karen and Lloyd were 21st and 22nd respectively, with Karen taking the first lady prize into the bargain.

The following day, 31 members enjoyed the delightful surroundings of Fewston Reservoir for another club handicap.

Antonio Cardinale led off the runners and was able to show everyone the way round as he finished first too!

Dave Cattenach (on a two-minute handicap) finished second and Dominic Egan (on minus seven minutes) was third. Fastest actual time was Tom Midgley’s 22min 56sec.

Mucbh further afield, Otley’s Tom Paget took part in the “Park Run” in Bushy Park, near Teddington.

The 5Km race was won by Will Cockerell of Belgrave Harriers in 16min 19sec and Tom placed 56th in 20.13.

On Sunday, the Eccup Ten-Mile Race – organised by Abbey Runners – attracted a large field, which included ten Otley members.

The race was won by Andrew Pearson in 52min 15sec. First home for Otley was Tom Midgley, who finished a good sixth in 58.13.

Other Otley placings were: Mark Hall (tenth and first M50), Lloyd Best (60th), Karen Best (80th), Neil Charlton (89th), Matt Podd (119th), Tom Potter (228th), Billy Rayner (243rd) , Sara Richard (407th) and Dave Cattenach (439th).

The club are now looking forward to their annual Round Hill Fell Race on Sunday, August 1.

This starts from Timble village and covers about nine miles of Blubberhouses Moor, involving 1200ft of ascent.

Entry is on the day but please see the club website http://otleyac.org.uk for more details.

Two of Skyrac’s lady road racers, Debbie Bland and Elizabeth Grayson, ran the Adel Ten-Mile Road Race on Sunday.

In a well-supported race of over 500 runners, Debbie managed to win her lady veterans’ 55 category prize in 1hr 24min 37sec (just 20 seconds ahead of the second- placed runner), while Elizabeth came home in 1hr 25min 29 sec.

The Airienteers’ Summer Sprint League has reached its conclusion, with the final two races in the hotly-contested sequence at Nunroyd Park, Guiseley, and Golden Acre Park, Bramhope. This orienteering format requires lightning-fast decision-making about route choice and good navigational skills, as well as sprinting speed.

At Nunroyd, Menston’s Steve Webb ran out the winner on the 3.5km course in 17min 05sec, 32 seconds ahead of Dave Alcock, with Baildon’s Steve Watkins third in 17.55. Mark Mon-Williams (18.45), Peter Haines (19.17), Richard Measures (20.25), Ian Marshall (21.16), and Michael Cranny (21.23) completed the top-eight places. Chloe Haines was first woman in 22.19, ahead of Jess Nixon in 24.15.

Despite the World Cup, there was a good turn-out for the final race in the series at Golden Acre Park, where Paul Liepins was victorious in 16.48, with Ian Nixon second in 17.31, and Steve Watkins third in 18.24. Michael Cranny (19.01), Dave Alcock (19.38), Dave Bowman (20.03), Tim Patterson (20.16), and Steve Webb (20.41) completed the top-eight places. Guiseley’s Joe Woodley was first junior in 22.07 and Sophie Brown was first woman in 22.35.

The overall winners of the Summer Sprint League were Ian Nixon for the men, and Jess Nixon for the woman. Other top-six placings were, Men: Paul Liepins, Steve Watkins, Dave Alcock, Steve Webb, Geoff Clarke. Women: Florence Haines, Chloe Haines, Joyce Marshall, Marie Gibbs, Claire Towler.

The new season gets under way on September 11 with Airienteers’ District event at Penistone Hill, near Haworth, followed by a regional event on September 19.