Ilkley's Billy is first local in Baildon Boundary Way

Nick Pearce is often in the first few in the Blubberhouses Fell Race, a 25 mile event, and he won the 21st running of the race on Sunday in 3h13.

At the Wakefield 10k, Cath Wolfenden ran a good time of 42:20 for 245th place; and Vic Verecondi's 47:24 (454th) was a PB by 2 minutes.

In Saturday's Pendle Fell Race, over 4.5M with 1500ft of climb, Emma Barclay was third lady in 41:17; and Steve Barclay was 110th in 43:46.

In the first of the Bunny Run Fell Races on Tuesday, short races over three miles with 300ft of climb, Graham Pearce had a good run to finish about 28th in 20:38, just ahead of Mark Iley 32nd in 20:50.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm - see www.ilkleyharriers.co.uk for more information.

Guiseley Gallop

Skyrac AC, who will organise the eighth Guiseley Gallop, supported by Ilkley firm The Complete Runner, on Easter Sunday, are celebrating the first birthday of their £1/2 million Nunroyd Park clubhouse by offering unattached runners free Skyrac membership for the current year.

Club Chairman Graham Breeze said: "The benefits of joining a running club are many, not only in terms of your running becoming easier but the social side of making new friends. Our new clubhouse with six changing/shower rooms and a large lounge bar area is the finest facility in north Leeds and is owned by Skyrac and the three other ANSA clubs whereas most running clubs have to make do with renting facilities from other organisations.

"Many unattached runners run in the Guiseley Gallop and we hope that some of them after meeting members of Skyrac and enjoying our marvellous facilities will try running with the club for a few months to see if Skyrac is the place for them.

"Skyrac has a reputation for being a competitive club but many of its members just enjoy running sociably with others on a couple of evenings a week."

Peter Rawnsley, who has developed the Guiseley Gallop over the last eight years said: "I am optimistic that this year entries will top 450. The number of pre-entries is already over 250 (closing date is April 14) and we will also take entries on the day although this costs an extra £1.

"I think inclusion of the race in the Airedale Triple Challenge has boosted entries as has making the application form available on www.skyrac.org.uk. The event has also received a favourable mention in Runners World.

"The route will follow the traditional route (as featured in the video Old Aireborough) and the start from West Side Retail Park has been brought forward to 10.30 am to avoid holiday traffic in Esholt."

Peter Rawnsley can be contacted on 01943 875516.

Awaiting start

Danielle Carr a Y7 pupil from St Mary's RC School, Menston, is eagerly awaiting the start of the outdoor athletics season. Throughout the winter Danielle has competed in several competitions involving athletics clubs from the North of England and achieved some outstanding results.

At Scunthorpe she came second in the U-13s' 80m sprint in a time of 21.7 secs. In a similar competition held in Blackpool, Danielle won both the U-13 girls' 80m and 200m sprint competition. Danielle currently trains with Leeds City Athletics Club.

Last Wednesday, children from Ilkley Sportshall Athletics were presented with their English Schools' Indoor Awards badges by top local athlete, Ian Fisher.

Fifty children attained gold, silver, or bronze standards in a range of indoor athletics disciplines.

Sportshall Athletics is growing in popularity and has been running at Clevedon House School since September with children coming from all over Wharfedale to take part, some from as far as Burnsall, Skipton and Otley.

The Sportshall ethos of enjoyment, fun, teamwork and doing one's best for the good of the team are qualities that are emphasised at each session.

However the enthusiasm, commitment and talent the children have brought with them has been reflected in the sheer numbers achieving their individual awards.

Sportshall now takes a break until September but an outdoor programme of athletics is being organised throughout the Summer months. All sessions are for children between the ages of 8 to 13 years and for anyone wanting further information please contact Shirley Wood (01943 831765) or Neil Chapman (01943 431750).

Winning jump

ADDINGHAM athlete Jennifer Hopkinson, 12, produced a personal best 1.45metres to win the high jump in the Wakefield Harriers Spring Open Medals Meeting on Saturday.

The Ilkley Grammar School pupil who competes for Bingley Harriers had a previous best of 1.35 metres.

Jennifer was also fifth fastest in the 100 metres race.

Jennifer will not be 13 until May and she was competing in the Under-15 section so it was a remarkable achievement.

Awaiting start

Danielle Carr a Y7 pupil from St Mary's RC School, Menston, is eagerly awaiting the start of the outdoor athletics season. Throughout the winter Danielle has competed in several competitions involving athletics clubs from the North of England and achieved some outstanding results.

At Scunthorpe she came second in the U-13s' 80m sprint in a time of 21.7 secs. In a similar competition held in Blackpool, Danielle won both the U-13 girls' 80m and 200m sprint competition. Danielle currently trains with Leeds City Athletics Club.

Encouraging displays

There were some encouraging early season performances from three local under 17 athletes as they represented Yorkshire, Humberside and Lincolnshire at the Under-18 North of England AA Inter Regional Match in Preston.

In chilly conditions, Horsforth's Andrew Staniland (Leeds City AC) produced two pleasing long throws for two third places. These came in the discus (1.5kg) with 39.95m and in the javelin (700g) with 48.96m. However, he was disappointed with his long jump performance of 6.18m, although it did achieve second place as all the jumpers found the conditions testing.

Team-mate Richard Ettenfield of

Menston made his debut in the pole Vault and very much looked the part as he soared over an impressive 3.20m for second position.

For the women's team Amy Howard of Skyrac had her first outing of the new season. She threw the discus (1kg) a fine 32.40m for second place.

On the same day, 14 year-old Bethany Staniland (Leeds City AC) flew the local flag at the Kingston-

upon-Hull Open Meeting and made a successful return to her old club, coming home with three medals from the under-17 women's competitions. Her most pleasing performance came with a personal best in the discus (1kg) with 31.29m for first place.

She also picked up another gold medal in the shot (4kg) with an outdoors PB of 9.84m. Her day was rounded of with the bronze medal in the 800m.