OTLEY’S Sarah Fuller produced an impressive performance in the demanding Montane Spine Challenger over the weekend.

The non-stop 60-hour winter marathon is run over a gruelling 108-mile course which takes the competitors from Edale in the Peak District to Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales.

The rugged and very technical nature of this race is mentally taxing as you have to constantly be aware of foot placement. Coupled with the limited daylight hours, and the necessity to run in the dark, you can start to build a very clear picture of the race.

After starting in Edale, the race goes over Kinder Scout in the Peak District, following the Pennine Way until Hebden Bridge.

There was a slight detour to the first main rest area before the runners continue on their route to Hawes, tackling some beautiful peaks and fells found in the Yorkshire Dales.

Fuller teamed up with two other runners early on, Clare Holdcroft and Peter Hutchinson, and the trio helped each other through the gruelling race.

The 60-hour time limit seems generous but it is a measure of the severity of the challenge with only 32 of the 61 runners managing to complete the course.

Battling against the extreme weather and the demanding terrain, Fuller completed the race in 24th place with a time of 55 hours and 53 minutes. She was awarded joint-second lady with Holdcroft.

Fuller’s challenge was definitely the most testing one undertaken by members of Otley Athletics Club last weekend.

For the third consecutive year, Lightwater Valley hosted the Yorkshire Cross Country Championships.

The course was surprisingly dry after heavy overnight rain and sheltered for most of the time from the strong winds.

Jonathan Thewlis from Notts AC was a clear winner in 35:44. Feeling a little short on speed from his marathon training, Frank Beresford had a solid run for 33rd place in a time of 39:40.

Andrew Robertshaw was 65th in 41:58, while Shane Ewen continued his good form for a top 100 finish, coming 94th in 43:45, and Jon Greenwell was 118th in 44:54.

Howard Jeffery was back out again in the Otley AC vest on Sunday to take part in the Garstang 10K. After the race Howard reported conditions to be good, if a little breezy at times, and the course to be pleasantly undulating through lovely countryside.

The race was won by Ben Lindsay of Manhattan Project in 30.49 and the first lady was Darwen Dashers’ Lady Joanne Nelson in 38.22.

Howard was 80th out of 474 and sole runner for Otley AC in 42:11.

His effort came on the back of winning December’s Runner of the Month at the club for some fantastic performances, along with Tamara Weatherhead.

Tamara was recognised for her superb run at the Ribble Valley 10K, where she attained new club records.