Keighley and Craven suffered a huge setback last weekend when they lost vital team member Len 'Tornado' Buxton just before the North of England 12-stage Road Relay Championships.

Buxton decided that the K&C club was not meeting his needs and decided against representing the club in the major championship event.

Against all odds the remaining members, and a last minute replacement, secured 19th place. This was enough to qualify for the National Road Relays which will be held on April 26 at Sutton Park, Birmingham.

"Our best National result is 28th, so that is our target this year." said club captain Will Smith.

Keighley and Craven will be clying the flag for the local area after Bingley Harriers were unable to field a full team in the relays due to other commitments.

The event was run in 12 relay legs, four of 5.1 miles and eight of 2.6 miles.

Chris Loftus got K&C off to a superb start on the course along Blackpool promenade, putting them in 16th position. Smith (above) lifted them to 15th.

The full lline-up was: Chris Loftus (26:21), Will Smith (13:43), Liam Spencer (15:16), Zip Jones (27:14), Tim Hird (15:28), Steve Curtis (15:06), Loz Hellawell (26:57), Paul Crabtree (16:06), Damien Scholes (14:26), Darren Brame (26:46), Gerrard Gill (14:30), James Callaghan (14:45).