Excellent performances by junior athletes were the highlight of the annual John Carr 5k series at Esholt, organised by St Bede's AC and held on the first three Wednesdays each May.

The ever-increasing popularity of the race meant no entries were permitted on the day, to the disappointment of several regional-level runners.

Nonetheless, the pre-entries generated 400 runners for each race, which is capacity for the course, on traffic-free roads through the Yorkshire Water estate at Esholt Hall, with a fast finish through Esholt village.

The first race of the series also included the Yorkshire Vets' 5k road championship race, with the podium comprising: Greg Hull (Leeds City), 15min 32sec; Jon Cordingley (Bingley), 15.42 - who also won the men's series prize - and, third, Simon Wright (Doncaster), 15.57.

Sue Becconsall (Bingley) won the women's race in 18.26 from Andrea Dennison (Bingley) in 18.39 and Diane Hagger (Ilkley), 19.20.

The quality of the senior men (18-35 year) was disappointing, with only one runner breaking 15 minutes in the three races - Simon Derkin (Leeds City) in 14.42.

There is a national weakness in standards in this age-group. In the first race only ten of the top 50 finishers were from this category; almost 40 were vets' (over-35s). Sarah Graham (Leeds University) won the overall women's prize with a time of 18.05.

The junior boys' race (16-17 year age-group) was well contested and was won by Jack Hallas (Wakefield) in 15.36, with Robert Shaw (Keighley & Craven) third in 16.27.

Junior girls winner was Chloe Patchett (Wakefield), in 18.33 and the under-16s winner was Oliver Webster (Bingley) in 18.00, who is improving significantly race by race.