Horsforth roofing contractor John Convery, 37, continued his build up to the defence of his Horsforth 10K title by storming home a minute clear of the field in the Kirkstall 10K.

Convery toyed with the opposition despite a heavy cold to cross the line in 32.50 ahead of Steve Whetstone (Abbey) and Scott Mitchell (Leeds City).

Convery is aiming to become only the second athlete to win the Horsforth 10K three times - a feat first accomplished by Scott Mitchell who in turn will be trying for his fourth victory.

Convery said that he was looking forward to defending at Horsforth because the improved, faster course should suit him but in any case it will be valuable preparation for his appearance in the forthcoming Amsterdam International Marathon.

At an age when most men are living off the fruits of their pensions, 67-year-old Gerry Spink, of Bingley Harriers, will be lining up to compete in his 14th Horsforth 10k Road Race.

Gerry, a former pupil of Bradford Grammar School, took up athletics seriously in 1942 when he found little interest in school ball games.

He gained success as a cross-country runner and on leaving school was keen on fell-running.

However, it is as a veteran athlete that Gerry has become a local celebrity and is equally at home in smaller events or on the national stage.

On reaching the age of 60, Gerry began to train particularly hard and was rewarded with a United Kingdom over-60 10k record of 35.04, achieved at the Abbey Dash in Leeds.

He has since figured at the top of national age group rankings from 10k's through to marathons.

Asked about his proudest moment, Gerry points to his achievement at the Meltham Mile Race where at the age of 60 he clocked 3min 57sec, which probably made him the fastest 60-year-old in the world!

Having run over 2,000 races in his career, including 55 marathons, Gerry is always ready to give younger (and older) athletes advice, but he stresses that he has no secret formula running on average 35 miles per week.

Gerry is looking forward to defending his veteran's title at the Horsforth 10k and adding to his eight previous gold medals in the Yorkshire Vets Championship in a race which he rates one of the best around.

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