A MISSING marshal led to confusion at the end of Sunday's PECO CROSS-COUNTRY LEAGUE at West Park in Leeds.

As the leading male runners left the woods behind Becketts Park for the main playing fields, the absence of an official meant the leading group continued the route they had used on the way out but ended up running an extra half-mile.

Since the error was not their fault, the results are being reworked so the first 15 remain at the top.

League organiser Mark Hetherington explained: "This has clearly had a major impact on the results as recorded on the timing mats, with these runners being 'mixed in' with runners who were behind them at the point where the mix-up occurred.

"The leading runners were misdirected: they did not fail to follow the correct course due to their own inability to follow the course markings. As such, they were not at fault."

Letting the results stand would have not only disadvantaged the individuals but the team results and end-of-year prizes, both club and individual.

The wet weather also played havoc. Janet Arkwright and two more of the Bradford Airedale team did not even reach the start. Driving from Haworth, they were directed by police through a deluged stretch of road, only to find that her engine had flooded. The car stalled and they had to return home.

Pudsey & Bramley only had two ladies out but Claire Green and Rachel Pilling finished first and sixth. Lucy Williamson was first Ilkley Harrier in 11th, while Eccleshill were rewarded for a turnout of 17 ladies with a third place finish in Division Two behind Ilkley and Wharfedale.

The previous day saw the fifth running of the GATHERING WINTER FOOLS off-road relay over 32 miles from University Academy Keighley. The four legs pass Kildwick, East Morton and Bingley. Barlick Fell Runners, Bingley Harriers, Wharfedale, and host club Keighley & Craven generated 22 of the 26 teams. Wharfedale's men won in 3hr 27min 58sec, ten minutes ahead of Bingley A, who edged Barlick for silver.