IN the Leeds Schools' City Cross-Country Championships held at Garforth Community College last Saturday, the boys and girls from Tranmere Park School, Guiseley, ran true to form.

In the first race the girls ran strongly to win the race by 29 points. Counting runners were Eleanor Henson (fifth), Holly Bovan (sixth), Jemima Edwards (13th) and Victoria Helbert (19). Once again they were ably assisted by young runners.

The boys knew they had to run very strongly if they were to do the double with the girls and beat off the challenge of Leeds Grammar School.

However, they ran very strongly and competitively and won the race by eight points. Counting runners were Ben Alston (seventh), Edward Hall (eighth), Thomas Bovan (10th) and Ethan Matthews (26th).

So at the end of a very successful season the girls have won two gold medals and the boys a silver and gold medal which is an excellent achievement from a small primary school.

Skyrac Fellrunners

A salmon leaping a weir, a goshawk taking prey in flight, fellrunners streaming over Barley Moor to the Nick of Pendle: all glories of nature and another sunny Saturday saw almost 160 fellrunners turn up in Barley for the nine miles Half Tour of Pendle.

Matt Whitfield (Bingley) was the victor in 66 minutes, just 9 seconds ahead of Sean Livesey (Clayton) who has held the record since 1996. Only Graham Breeze turned up to represent Skyrac and he finished 78th in 87.25.

On Sunday Duncan Asquith, Andy Brear and Malcolm Coles competed in the seven miles White Horse Wanderer from Sutton Bank which was the penultimate race in the Cleveland Winter Series.

Race winner was Charlie Stead (Northumberland) in 42.09 and from the field of 100 competitors the three Skyrac runners finished in 24th (50.28), 26th (51.29) and 66th (59.20) respectively. Duncan and Andy are now placed well within the first ten of the overall Vet 40 standings.

Skyrac has a warm welcome for those who ring 0113 229 0924 or contact www.skyrac.org.uk

National victory

AT the AAA's Indoor Combined Events Championships held at the Welsh National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff, Horsforth's Andrew Staniland showed his best form.

In the U-17 men's pentathlon Andrew, who represents Leeds City AC and Leeds GS was crowned UK champion. The Horsforth multi-eventer achieved a personal best score of 3,306 points to win the gold medal, 75 points ahead of second place.

To become the UK champion, Andrew set three personal best performances and one season's best. The PBs came in the high jump with 1.92m;long jump with 6.52m; and the 60m hurdles with 8.87s.

The season best came with 12.82m for the shot putt (5kg), and he also ran 2 mins.20.67s for the 800m, his second best ever time.

This tremendous achievement comes on the back of victory in the North East Counties' Indoor Combined Events Championships in Jarrow and the silver medal in the North of England Indoor Championships at Manchester.

Andrew's 3,306 points score at the championships places him 12th on the UK All Time Ranking Lists for the U-17 men's pentathlon.

Ilkley Harriers

In Saturday's Coniston 14 (just over a half marathon) there was a great turnout of Ilkley Harriers, with it being a Harriers' Running League counting event, and the club organising a bus to the race. The race was won by Steve Littler in 1h15:10 from in 1500 runners.

Harriers results were: 29, Billy Kerr 1h26:03; 35, Nick Pearce 1h26:37; 81, Clive Smith 1h30:35; 226, Dave Jepson 1h38:19; 281, Jeff Paget 1h40:47; 307, Phil Chappell 1h41:45; 321, John Woodward 1h42:14; 351, Jane Leather 1h43:21; 553, Richard Midgley 1h49:33; 658, Andy Wolfenden 1h53:00 Second-claim Harrier Jason Hemsley (P&B) had a fine run - 27th in 1h25:52

The same day saw the Half Tour of Pendle, a category A fell race over nine miles with 2250ft of climb. In rather better conditions than last year, Emma Barclay had a good run - fourth lady in 1h22:39; with Norman Bush third Vet 60 in 1h24:07 and Alison Weston 1h30:00.

On Sunday, Suzanne Akeroyd was 11th lady and third Vet LV35 in the Ackworth Half Marathon, a fabulous result, in 1h34:10. Lloyd Best and Karen Page were racing together - 508th and 509th places in 1h53:25.

Meanwhile, in the Wilmslow Half Marathon, Ilkley had two runners in a large field of 3,200. For Terry Lonergan, a time of 58.29 (6.30 min. per mile) in the Norton 9 determined a target of 85 mins, which he achieved with 83.49 (6.23 per mile) ; 7th over-50 from 173 in this category. Clare Park ran 1h59:22 This is a very well organised event which can be strongly recommended as a significant 'first quarter' target or pre London race.

There were no half measures in the Edale Skyline,a Category A Long fell race over 21 miles with 4500 ft of climb. Rachael Gooch had a fine run in this classic event to finish second lady Vet in 4h16:39 Ashley Hardwell also enjoyed a good result - 3h56:22

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