OTLEY AC had a good day out at the British Fell Relays on Saturday with three teams pitting their wits against the best fell runners from all over Britain.

Grasmere was the venue for this year’s edition which is split into two single legs and two paired legs, one of which is a navigational leg.

The navigational leg caused drama at the front of the race with leaders Keswick AC going badly wrong allowing Pudsey and Bramley to take advantage and claim the prestigious win.

Otley’s mixed team of Louise Williams, Joe Torr, Andrew Robertshaw, Graham Lake, Vicky Stainburn and Becky Harpur came eighth in their category, finishing in 5:28:51, overcoming a dislocated finger for Lake in the process.

Otley’s second mixed team of Lizzie Irvine, Tom Lynch, Liam Dunne, Laura McCabe, Steve Robinson and Caron Ralph ran well to finish just 20 minutes behind their teammates.

Finally, the Otley male vets team of Ryk Downes, Andrew Webster, Colin Best, Hugh Pearson, Matt Podd and Nick Hodgkinson ran strongly through the clag to complete a successful day for the Black and Whites.

The first of the West Yorkshire Cross Country League race at Spenborough on Sunday saw Becky Harpur, Vicky Satainburn and Ruth Poole turn out for the Black and Whites. The race was approximately 5k consisting of three laps. Vicky was first home for Otley in 15th place in 22:30 closely followed by Becky in 23rd in 23:17. Ruth finished in 80th place in 27:22.

The men’s race was approximately 5.3 miles over five laps. Joe Torr was first home for Otley in 53rd place (34:18), followed by Liam Dunne in 75th (35:32), Lee Gumbrell in 156th (42:51), Andrew Rayner 175th (52:06), Don Buffham 176th (52:47) and Antonio Cardinale 177th (1:06:59). The men’s team are currently 12th.