IAN HOLMES was made to work hard for victory in the Auld Lang Syne fell race at Penistione Hill, Haworth, on New Year's Eve.

After his baby son, Louis, was brought in as 'celebrity starter' of the bumper field of 570 runners he was pushed all the way by his Bingley team mate, Matt Whitfield of Oakworth.

Holmes made a final push to finish in 35mins 07secs to complete his seventh successive win in the event. Whitfield finished seven seconds behind.

Paul Sheard of Pudsey and Barmaley was third in 37:38 and Steve Oldfield of Bradford/Airedale completed his fourth successive victory in the Over-40 vets section, finishing fourth overall in a time of 37:50.

Robert Jebb of Bingley was fifth in 38:08.

Great Britain cross country international Lucy Wright, of Leeds City won the women's race in 42:22, finishing 50th overall. Sarah Rowell of Pudsey and Bramely set a new femal V35 record with a time of 42:44.

Kate Rogan of Wharfedale Harriers beat Amy Green's Under-18 girls record by 10 saeconds, finishing in 50mins 18secs and Sylvia Watson set a new women's over-50 record in 57 minutes 10 seconds.

The tema event was won by Bingley ahead of Pudsey and Bramley with Bingley also taking the ladies team title.

After completing the six mile race, which included 900ft of climbing the runners returned to the Sun Inn, Haworth, where they started their New Year celebrations in style with a 'drinking race' with Andrew Andrew Schofield (Borrowdale) and Dave McGuire (Clayton) sharing the £10 first prize for downing a half yard of ale.

The laides relay drinking award was won by the Bingley team of Sharon Taylor and Esther Cotton ahead of Marie Jackson and Catherine Howell of Clayton.

n Bronte schoolteacher Paul Buckley had a hectic New Year, taking part in four races in two days.

On New Year's Even he ran in the Auld Lang Syne event before heading for Skipton to take part in Roger Ingham's Shortbank race. He finished the old year at Harry Smith's 'Barnoldswick 2000' road race.

Despite the Millennium celebrations he was fit enough to run in his own New Year's Day fun run at Silsden which raised £65 for the British Diabetic Association.

The run was won by Lawrence Hellawell (Keighley & Craven) in 16mins 10 secs followed by Dave Throup (16:54) who just missed out on his 10th victory. Steve Hornby of Keighley & Craven was thid in 17:11.

The first lady was S O'Sullivan of Bath in 24:26 with rose Lovesey second in 28:29.

Under-17 winner was Drew Miller of Silsden in 22:09, 2nd Chris Heaton (Bingley) 22:20. Under-17 girls Jess Lovesey 48:08.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.