The John Carr 5k Series at Esholt is one of the fastest courses in the country.

Wednesday’s race, organised by St Bede’s AC, incorporated the Yorkshire Veterans' 5k Championships.

Cool but still conditions greeted over 290 runners looking to break personal records. But the race nearly did not go ahead as a concrete barrier in the Yorkshire Water grounds was blocking the course.

Flying downhill from Esholt village across the finishing line in 16min 3sec was winner Tim Midgley (Bingley), while Sally Morley (Ilkley) scooped first for the ladies (18min 21sec).

Men’s over-55s winner Henry Heavisides broke Ilkley Harriers’ record for that category – and is the proud owner of his first championship medal.

Fred Gibbs (Bingley) and Arthur James (Eccleshill) won the over-70s and over-75s categories, respectively.

Mixed weather did not deter the flurry of races over the bank holiday weekend, starting with the Coniston Fell Race on Saturday.

Ian Holmes conquered the Old Man for the ninth time in 68min 39sec. Pudsey & Bramley brothers Rob and Danny Hope finished spectacularly, in second and fourth positions.

On Sunday, the Bluebell Trail Ten-Miler challenged with scenic terrain and a final river-crossing.

Jon Holah (Pudsey & Bramley) revealed Yorkshire grit in sixth (71min 3sec). Marisol Carrera Vivar (Bingley) and Amanda Stirling (Keighley & Craven) both had fine runs, being second and third among the over-40 women.

Wind, rain and a brass band accompanied the runners in Sunday’s Kirkbymoorside 10k. Several Pudsey Pacers took advantage of this fast, undulating course, led by John Pop in 45min 3sec.

A great turnout from the full spectrum of clubs welcomed the new, faster course for the Rothwell 10k on Monday.

Despite breezy conditions there were exceptional results.

Trish Gavins (Keighley & Craven) won the women’s over-45s, while Stuart Brown claimed sixth (33min 34sec), closely followed by Keighley clubmates Marko Gvero (34min 30sec) and Dave Shaw (35min 44sec).

The Ilkley red and green was represented by Andy Wiggans and Richard Reeve, who finished within a second of each other and with a personal best of 37:1 for Wiggans.