Main event of the weekend for Keighley & Craven athletes was the National 12-stage road relay championships at Sutton Park, Birmingham.

The club made its debut in the Nationals after qualifyingin the top 20 of the northern round. The national championships includes the top 60 clubs in Britain and club chairman John Dennis set the club a target of achieving a top 50 place.

Team captain Martin Horbury icked his strongest eam, but a late illness forced former junior international Alfie Atkinson to withdraw at the last minute and John Dennis was required to stand-in as reserve.

The team were elated at reaching their top 50 target, finishing 49th in a total time of 4hrs 39mins 52secs compared with winners Birchfield Harriers (4:07:06, and Bingley Harriers who finished 9th (4:18:15).

The course was made up of alternate long and short legs of 5 and 3 miles. Keighley times and positions were: Zip Jones 28:28 (45th), Mark Wycherley 15:58 (47), Rob Grillow 29:44 (49), Sam Wadsworth 15:56 (48), Martin Horbury 30:20 (52), Liam Spencer 16:31 (49), Darren Brame 29:51 (50), John Dennis 16:59 (51), Jeff Emmott 32:38 (53), Len Buxton 16:37 (52), Pete Carr 30:33 (51), and Jonnie Butler 16:17 (49).

Dave Tate who narrowly missed selection for the national relays responded with his best performance for 10 years in the Wakefield City 10K. The popular race on a fast city centrecourse, attracted 900 runners. Dave finished in the top 30 n a time of 34:56, Keith Waddingham also improved his best time of the year to 36:01 followed by Richard Nelson with 36:37, both were in the top 50.

The other local event was the Baildon Boundary Way, and off-road half marathon which started and finished at Baildon Recreation centre. Keighley & Craven ladies won the women's competition. The team of Cath Fawcett 141:53, Liz Tomes 1:42:52 and Freda Tate 1:43:11 confirmed the ladies are building a team that will be difficultto beat.

The race was won by Paul Sheard of Pudey and Bramley in 1hr 19mins 47secs and first lady lady was Carol Greenwood in a new course record of 1:26:57.

A total of 550 runners completed the course. Other K&C times were: Chris Loftus 1:26:46 (23rd), Paul Morris 1:35:18 (86), Neil Bland 1:38:56, Richard Chatburn 1:41:44; Tony Fenton 1:44:43, Elenor Robinson 1:49:54; Lawrie Prwse 1:57:47; Sheila Turbitt 2:00:37.

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