Ilkley Harrier Andrea Priestley won her England vest in the Knocked hu Classic fell race in Ireland. With 'only' 4.7 miles and 1470' of climb this race was rather shorter than the races Andrea prefers.

But she excelled to win the ladies'race - her 41:51 was good enough for 35th place overall in the mixed international field, and she helped England to win the team prize.

The next day, in the Leeds Marathon, Neil Chapman continued his run of marathons with a good time of 3h18:46 In the Half Marathon, Mark Iley was 40th in 1h23:01; Suzanne Akeroyd ran 1h37; Keith Wood 1h47; and Amanda Parnaby 2h08.

In the Knaresborough 10k, Andy Wade overcame an undulating and confusing course to finish 2nd in 38:22

Earlier in the week, 35 Harriers ran in the second race on the Harrogate Road League, against eight other clubs at Harlow Carr.

Again we were first in the Ladies and Lady Vets team events, and enjoyed good placings in the main team event (2nd), Vets (4th), and in the Elite competition (5th).

Harriers are reminded that the Harrogate Road League continues with the Starbeck event at 7.30 on Wednesday, May 22.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training from Ilkley Lawn Tennis and Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm.

Call them on 01943 831765, or visit www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk, for more information.

Track and field action

An incredibly busy time for track and field athletics saw many of the district's athletes competing for their clubs in various league fixtures, grand prix meetings and championships.

At the first of the prestigious Trafford Grand Prix Meetings at Stretford's Longford Park Stadium. Horsforth's Elizabeth Spencer (Holmfirth Harriers) ran an excellent 3000m in the open graded race for 21st position in 10 mins.37.94s, a remarkable time for a 17 year-old girl.

At Cleckheaton's Princess Mary Stadium the second meeting of the West Yorkshire Track and Field League saw four Skyrac athletes gain outstanding performances. Laura Kirk was in tremendous form in the Under-17 women's 800m and won the race in 2mins 17.9s. In the same age group Amy Howard was second in the long jump with 4.87m and for the Under-17 men, Damian Hines won the shot (5kg) with 12.14m.

Further 800m success continued for the club as Gabbi Rowell ran a personal best of 2mins.23.6s for second place in the Under-15 girls' category.

In Division Three South-East at the Moorways Stadium, Derby, Skyrac's men achieved third place out of the seven competing clubs. Eighteen year-old Matthew Clay provided the highlight of the day when he won the long jump with 6.62m.

Sunday saw the first meeting of the Young Athletes League series and Skyrac's youngsters found themselves again across the Pennines contesting North-West Division One.

At Stockport's Woodbank Park Stadium they came a creditable third behind powerful Trafford and Manx teams. Two under-17 athletes in particular were outstanding. Damian Hines secured a hat-trick of victories in the throwing events, winning the A strings of shot and hammer and the B string discus.

Andrew Staniland won the A string discus (1.5kg) with a personal best throw of 37.65m and then took the A string 100m hurdles in 15.3s. A fine leap of 6.25m also saw him placed second in the long jump.

Horsforth's Nick Howard set a personal best at this fixture in the Under-17 men's 1500m with 4 mins.34s for victory in the B race.

Debutant Sam Booth enjoyed a successful day with two under-17 B string second places in the 200m and long jump and third in the A high jump with 1.65m.

However the most tired of the Skyrac team must have been 15 year- old Ian Clark who returned to Guiseley having done the Under-17 men's 1500m, the 1500m steeplechase, the triple jump and a leg of the 4 x 400m relay!

On the same day, Skyrac's ladies were in action at Cleckheaton in the first meeting of the Northern Women's League Division Two East. A sound overall performance saw them finish second behind an impressive Wakefield Harriers B.

White Wells Fell Race

The White Wells Fell Race is being held on Saturday, May 25, starting at 1pm. The second running of this A category race over 3.5 miles and 1100 feet of climbing is host to the 2002 Senior Yorkshire Fell Running Championships and is likely to be an extremely competitive event.

Last year's Yorkshire Champion, Bingley Harrier Ian Holmes, is likely to be under a lot of pressure from Pudsey and Bramley's in-form Rob Hope who recently stole Ian's crown as king of the Bunny Run Series.

With the race being a true test of the fell running craft, with some very steep climbs and extremely fast descents, it is expected that the spectators at White Wells will be able to witness a thrilling race unfold from what is a unique vantage point for a fell race.

The senior race starts at the gate at the bottom of the track leading up to White Wells cottage. There are also junior races over a number of different shorter courses starting and finishing from the field opposite the Millennium Gardens. The under-9s will start at noon, with U-12 and U-14 races to follow. The U-16s and U-18s will start with the seniors, the U-16s running a shortened route to the cairn and back, the U-18s running the same route as the seniors.

All the courses are well marked with all the shorter routes being in clear view of the start. All young budding fell runners are very welcome. Organised by Wharfedale Harriers, entry is on the day at £3 for seniors and 50p for juniors.

Andrew is champion

Andrew Staniland of Skyrac AC was crowned North of England Champion in the North of England AA Combined Events Champion-ships at the Tynedale Park Stadium in Hexham.

Fifteen year-old Andrew was victorious in the Under-17 men's Octathlon (eight events over two days), taking the prestigious title one year under age.

A very wet Saturday saw sound performances in the long jump, discus (1.5kg), javelin (700g) and 400m. However, personal bests in the 100m hurdles (14.95s) and the high jump (1.75m) really boosted his points on the Sunday.

A high scoring 5Kg shot putt (12.05m) and a gritty 1500m then ensured for him the North title with 4,275 points, an overall score which ranks him 7th in Great Britain. He will now represent the North of England at the AAA's Combined Events Championships in Birmingham later in the year.

This excellent performance comes on top of a successful weekend at the Yorkshire Championships the previous weekend at the Dorothy Hyman Stadium, Cudworth. Here, Andrew came home with one silver and three bronze medals in the Under-17 men's individual events.

The silver medal came in the javelin with a personal best throw of 41.96m. He also set PBs in the long jump (6.34m) and the shot (12.51m) for third places. A 35.56m in the discus gave him his third bronze medal.

Otley Athletic Club

CLUB members competed in the Jack Bloor Fell Race and the fifth handicap of the Eric Smith Race Series at Fewston Reservoir on the same night.

The Jack Bloor Fell Race on Ilkley Moor started in drizzle but this soon stopped. There is no set route between the checkpoints at Pancake Stone, Badger Stone, Swastika Stone, Cowper Cross and the Trig Point between Keighley Gate and the Ilkley to Dick Hudson's path so local knowledge is a distinct advantage.

The race was won by Richard Wran of Dark Peak Fell Runners in 42.13 and Ray Hawksby was the first Otley AC man home in 32nd place in 50.19. Aiden Smith was next 45th in 53.34 with Andrew Sumner 75th in 58.28.

On the same evening 18 members gathered in a cold and wet car park by Fewston Reservoir. In the final 400 metres the skill of the handicapper became apparent. A bunch of nine runners were close together and the competition was such that the third and tenth positions were only 36 seconds apart.

Peter McGouran won the handicap with a running time of 28.20 some 13 seconds ahead of new member Mark Dey's 27.33. In third place 19 seconds later was John Straiton in 27.52.

The new overall leader of the series is Graham Stead with 59 points. Second is Phil Robinson with 55 followed by Kath Robertshaw with 45. The June Handicap race will be from the New Inn at Eccup on Thursday, June 20, meeting at 7.15 pm.

Last Sunday three Otley members took part in the Fairfield Horseshoe Fell Race won by Borrowdale's John Bland. Otley's Dale Forster was 35th in 1hr 40m with Andrew Sumner doing 1hr 50 and Colin Best 2hrs.

Entries are coming in for the Otley Motors Ten Mile Road Race on June 26. Entry forms are available from the club's website at www.otleyac.co.uk

The club meets every Tuesday and Thursday at Otley Rugby Club and new members are welcome.