FELL running international Jo Prowse from Ilkley was carried off to hospital after a disastrous fall in Sunday's Rivock Edge Fell Race which left her bruised and bloody.

Scouts, rescue personnel and passing walkers helped the stricken Keighley and Craven star after she crashed several feet down a quarry face above Silsden Nab.

Jo was leading the women's race with only the two mile descent to the Silsden finish to complete.

Initial fears that she had broken an ankle were unfounded and by late afternoon she was back home in Ilkley, covered in gashes and grazes but with only a sprain confirmed.

Her husband Lawrie praised the immediate attention she received and wants a walking group numbering about eight or nine to get in touch because one of them lent her a sweater.

"It was a godsend," he said. He can be contacted on (01943) 602522.

Race organisers were also quick to commend Cobbydale Venture Scouts and other local Scout groups who were quick to act and were in radio contact with race HQ.

"It just shows the value of these people - essential for a Winter race where conditions can quickly deteriorate," says Steven Budimir.

Children charities have benefitted mostly from the race with almost £2,500 being raised in seven years. Ironically, due to benefit this year are the Scouts themselves.

Barnoldswick's Mark Horrocks took the senior race from a posse of Pudsey and Bramley runners who made up four of the first eight. Clayton Harrier Horrocks clocked 65 minutes 14 seconds for the 10 miler - almost five minutes down on the course record.

Shane Green (65.31) shaded the all-Pudsey battle for second, ahead of Gary Oldfield (65.39).

Ilkley's Helen Johnson took advantage of Prowse's slip to take the women's race. She came 52nd overall from 153 starters in a time of 80.00. Johnson beat off the challenge of Clayton's Vanessa Peacock (81.45), who was also first women's vet.

Two more from the Ilkley club were also among the men's vet prizes, Nick Pearce - 17th in 73.03 - was first vet 45 while Bob Hamilton - 20th in 73.39 was third vet.

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