Last weekend, a number of Otley AC members travelled to Heaton Park, Manchester to take part in the North of England Cross-Country Championships.

A few dry days before the race meant that conditions were not as boggy as in previous years but there were still some difficult sections which were stamina-sapping.

In the senior ladies' race, won by Hattie Dean of Hallamshire Harriers in 24.44, Otley's Josie Hodgetts overcame severe blisters to finish in a very creditable 99th place in 31.08 whilst Helen Walsh managed 166th in 34.05.

Fiona Hilton gave her all despite a stomach bug earlier in the week and was on the verge of collapse as she crossed the finish line 263rd in 43.51.

In the senior men's race over 12km, Andy Jones of Salford won in 33.35 whilst Otley's Ian Fisher, recovering from the Mumbai Marathon, finished 19th in 35.05. Jamil Parapia was 41st in 36.33 followed by Andrew Robertshaw 128th in 39.32. Dale Foster managed 227th in 42.10 whilst Andy Hunt and Phil Robinson had a hard-fought battle to finish 491st and 496th in 49.24 and 49.33 respectively.

On Sunday, Otley's fell-running devotees competed in the Stanbury Splash at Haworth. As usual, conditions were windy for this 6.5 mile race involving 1200 feet of climbing. The race was won by Ian Holmes of Bingley in 44.59 with Otley's Matthew Cox an excellent fifth in 48.39.

Other Otley finishers included Ray Hawksby (58.58), Carl Walsh (59.04), Chris Stacey (59.59), Phil Robertson (62.10), Sharon Smith (66.00), Rob Jackson (68.52) and David Cattanach (80.04).

It was also pleasing to see a couple of representatives in the Junior Races, Beth Robertson doing well to achieve 5.15 in the Under-8 Half-Mile and Lily Walsh managing 11.23 in the Under-10 Mile.

Otley AC welcome runners of all abilities to their training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.15pm at Otley RUFC. For further details visit www.otleyac.co.uk

Skyrac Athletic Club

For 2007 Skyrac have launched turn up and run open evenings on the first Tuesday in each month. The hundred or so members of Skyrac include joggers, juniors, fellrunners, everything. Whilst some race seriously most members join Skyrac just to enjoy themselves in the sociable company of others, whilst enjoying their running, whether they run for fun, to keep fit, or are training for the London Marathon! At the Open Night on Tuesday, February 6, Tim Agar (of The Complete Runner) will be bringing along the Saucony equipment which allows runners to check if they are running correctly. This opportunity will be available to all runners so anyone can come along to the Nunroyd Park Clubhouse (Yeadon/Guiseley boundary) from 7pm. Skyrac, which organises the Guiseley Gallop every Easter Sunday, can be contacted via 01943 466320 or www.skyrac.org.uk

Orienteering

Airienteers were competing at Swinsty and Beecroft last Sunday in a District Event run by Claro - the Harrogate-based orienteering club. This area of mixed, worked woodland alongside Fewston and Swinsty reservoirs offered a stiff challenge in blustery conditions especially as much of the woodland is covered in brashings. Happy Herts' Duncan Archer's winning time of 47.58 therefore, was especially impressive on the 8.1km Brown course. First woman home was Pippa Whitehouse of Oxford University OC in 62.42 and third overall. There were only two Airienteers on this course - Dave Chapman in 13th and Simon Bowens in 15th places respectively. Many more Airienteers were on the 6.4km Blue course which was won in fine style by Martin Bagness from WAROC in the Lake District in a time of 40.25. First local runner home was Frank Kew of Ilkley in third place in 51.43 whilst veteran international Ruth Ker from Leeds was first woman home in 53.35 for 5th overall. Dave Shelley, from Menston, in 53.02 and Bruce Woodley, from Guiseley, in 53.46 both had fine runs. Martyn Gill, Jonathan Smith, Rob King, and Mike Cox were other Airienteers to achieve the colour standard for the Blue course. However, the run of the day for Airienteers was by Ilkley's George Stevens (M16) who won on the 4.8km Green course in 39.18 in front of dozens of experienced adult runners. First woman home was Lindsay King, also of Ilkley, in 49.52. Robert Ker, Lisa Broadest, Steve Gill, were the local runners achieving the colour standard for the Green course. Joe Woodley (M12) had an excellent result as runner-up on the Light Green course beating most adults with Raj Madhas, Richard Fox, and Neil Stevens achieving colour standard. At junior level there were wins for Tom Conway (M14) on Orange course and Laurence Smith (M10) on the Yellow course whilst Laura King (W10) was runner-up on the White course. Meanwhile, other Airienteers made the trip to Sherwood Pines, near Nottingham, for the Robin Hood Trophy event where the terrain is fast,coniferous forest with a well-developed path network. Peter Haines was Aire's only winner in the 8.4km M50 race with Alistair Wood third. Podium positions were also achieved by Sam Wood (M12), Lucy Haines (W10), Victoria Stevens (W18), Graham Watson (M40), and Ruth Jones (W50) in their respective age-group races. Airienters are holding local informal training events throughout the season. The next one is at Heaton on Saturda,y February 24. Details of this and other events at this friendly club are at www.aire.org.uk