OTLEY steeplechase international Racheal Bamford led Leeds City ladies to a dominant victory in the NORTHERN SIX-STAGE ROAD-RELAY CHAMPIONSHIPS at Liverpool’s Sefton Park on Saturday.

Emma Clayton, formerly of Bingley Harriers, led their ladies off into second just behind Stockport on the first, double-lap leg.

These positions remained before Charlotte Wills brought Leeds onto Stockport’s shoulders at the end of the third leg. Heather Sellars forged a large gap on the second long leg before Sue Partridge and Bamford created a four-minute-plus gap by the finish.

Stockport just held Rotherham off for silver, while Keighley & Craven ran marvellously to come eighth. Amy Green and Helen Wright took on the long legs whilst Helen Glover, Zara Knappy, Claire Cooper and Sarah O’Sullivan ran the single-lap legs.

Holmfirth were 13th, Valley Striders 15th and Skyrac 20th, with Rebecca Cesar de Sa, Hannah Brown and Molly Keeffe outstanding. All qualify for the nationals.

Meanwhile, Tesfaye Debele led Leeds City off to victory in the 12-stage men’s equivalent. Debele ran 23min 13sec for the opening leg, placing fourth behind Liverpool, Bolton United and Derby. Liverpool were ahead right till the final leg, but lacked an anchor runner. That left Michael Salter clear to bring Leeds home ahead of Morpeth and Salford.

Four men’s legs (first, third, fifth and seventh) comprised two laps of the scenic park, around 4.9 miles; the remainder were single laps of 2.6 miles.

Holmfirth were the next West Yorkshire team, 14th, but behind both Hallamshire (7th) and Rotherham (12th). Recently-established Barlick Fell Runners were an impressive 15h, with Skipton’s Julian Hood contributing a solid long leg in 26:32.

Keighley & Craven were 41st, Skyrac 46th, and Ilkley 50th of the 77 starting teams.

The top 25 men’s and women’s teams go forward to the national championships in Sutton Park, Birmingham, on April 11.