International runners Stevie Green, Andy Peace and Alfie Atkinson are expected to line up in tomorrow's major cross country event at Greenhead.

Yorkshire's inter-county squad are expected to line up against the Keighley-based athletes who are favourites to take the title.

The West Yorkshire league fixture will attract hundreds of Northern runners - and also marks the debut of the new Keighley and Craven Athletics Club.

This week the club got a twin boost with Keighley Hillrunners voting unanimously to join the former Roadrunners, followed by a packed club social launch night when almost 80 runners signed up.

Officials of the new club believe they can re-ignite the early-80's running boom in the town which initially led to the formation of both Hill and Road clubs. Team co-ordinator Martin Horbury said the first priority was to get people racing in the new colours.

"We've got to get people seen over the full range of disciplines and the results will come in time," he said.

A competitive team structure is a central part of the club's ambitious plans with major championships and high profile races being targetted. Captains appointed include - Road, Martin Horbury; Fell, Jeff Emmott; Track and Field and Cross Country, Zip Jones; Vets, Tony Knowles; Ladies, Jo Prowse. Ian Heaton and David Hird will have responsibility for the juniors.

The club is to streamline its training sessions which currently run from various venues including Keighley Leisure Centre (Sunday 9.30, Tuesday and Thursday 6.30), Greenhead track (Tuesday and Thursday 6.00, Saturday 9.30), Silsden (Hothfield Street school, Tuesday 7.00), Skipton (Castle pub, Wednesday 6.30), Ilkley (Grammar School, Thursday 6.30). For full details on these and other information ring chairman John Dennis on 01535 644885 or David Hird on 01535 653826.

Organisers are appealing for people to help marshall the race. They should report to the track tomorrow by 11.30am. First junior race starts at noon, with the ladies at 1.45 and senior men at 2.30.

l Karen Slater claimed her third county title in the mud at Hull on Sunday - winning the Yorkshire Veterans Cross Country title.

Her victory brought the curtain down on the Hill Runners' club in style..

Karen led from the start chased by Liz Ball (Valley Striders) who finished exactly 30 seconds down on the 40-year old mother who clocked 41.46. Jo Prowse, a 43 year old advocacy worker with Airedale Community Health Council finished third in 42.45. The Hill Runners had only two counters handing the team prize to Bingley's Sue Carriss (sixth), Helen Mayo (ninth) and Barbara Carney.

In the past 12 months Slater has also collected the county vets fell title at Ilkley Moor and the 5k title in Lister Park, Bradford. Twenty four hours before her latest success she smashed her own course record at the Staveley fell race in the Lakes by two and a half minutes.

Best of the Hill Runners' veteran men, Jeff Emmott, from Cowling made the top 10. He came ninth in a race dominated by Holmfirth's Alan Buckley (34.13). Holder Eddie Irving (Bingley) was almost a minute behind in third place.

l One of fell racing's longest-surviving records is the target this Sunday at Skipton. Lakes legend Kenny Stuart clocked an incredible 16.07 in a thunderstorm in 1981, a record which still stands in the Guide race from the Horse Close pub. Seniors start at 12.00 with the first junior race an hour earlier.

l The 15th Soreen Stanbury Splash takes place at Penistone Hill on January 25. Details are available from David and Eileen Woodhead on 01535-669100.

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