THE PECO cross country race series was the primary focus for many Airecentre Pacers runners last weekend.

This competitive five race series, plus a relay decider at the end, is well supported by 30 running clubs across Yorkshire and regularly attracts up to a thousand hardy souls willing to get very muddy in pursuit of winning for their club.

This weekend's third race in the series was held at the Great Yorkshire Show Ground, Crimple Valley, and featured the usual mudfest.

As well as men's and ladies races over five miles, there was a junior race over a mile at which Pacer runners Evie Walker (10.49) and Monty Walker (11.36) ran exceptionally well.

Meanwhile, Evie's dad, Richard Walker, was competing in the men's race with 10 other Pacers, running second to Andrew Humphries (35.53) in 39.10.

Owain Gwylm (44.00), Paul Grindley (46.41), Matt Burnham (47.09), Simon Molyneaux (47.16), Rob Dawrant (48.20), Liam Oliver (51.03), Chris Hill (51.34) and William Woodhead completed the Pacers team who sit comfortably mid table at the halfway stage. Valero Palacios (Roundhay) won in 31.26.

The Pacer ladies also had a good team turn out with Kate Mcfarlane (48.08) leading them home, followed by Francesca Gatenby (48.44), Sally Haigh (49.28), Faye Cameron (54.43), Helen Waite (56.14), Sarah Podesta (58.32), Janice Chruscht (1:02), Carole Keighley (1:03) and Carly Dykes (1:06).

The ladies are slightly ahead of the men in their league tables (third), so it is all to play for in the remaining fixtures. Alice Leake (Leeds) won in 36.05.

With several weekend Parkruns cancelled due to icy conditions, Debbie Bland sought some road racing over the Pennines.

The Inskip Half Marathon is part of her training plan for her 16th London Marathon in April – a flat, fast course near Preston.

Despite an icy start and freezing fog, she battled through to take her first age group prize of 2020 in 1:50.35.