The Liversedge Half Marathon from Roberttown is a traditional lead-up race for those preparing for the London Marathon.

A totla of 438 finished this difficult figure-of-eight course on a fortunately mild but breezy day.

Tracey Morris, back running local races after years competing in Olympic marathons, was a decisive winner of the women’s race in 79min 51sec, with Bingley’s Andrea Dennison holding off Bridget Coomber for second in 87min 19sec.

Not far behind in ninth was the improving Claire Elener from Eccleshill Road Runners in 94min 47sec.

Among the men, David Allinson got a 400-yard gap over Dewsbury pair Andrew Cottier and Andrew Guiseley, winning in 77min 57sec.

Spen’s Antony Bradford held off Tracey Morris in fourth, while Queensbury’s Martin Firth won the over-50s prize in an impressive ninth place in 81min 27sec.

The previous weekend’s Rombald’s Stride Fell Race over 22 miles or more (assessments vary) and 3,300 feet of ascent was made no easier by the snow. Nevertheless 461 people completed the course, including the long-distance walkers.

Graham Pearce and Jon Wright tied for first place in 3hr 13min 56sec, with Emma Barclay first woman, tenth overall in 3hr 29min 47sec.

Tim Taylor, second-claimer for Airedale Athletics, followed her home, while Keighley’s Amy Green was 13th and second female in 3hr 36min 2sec.

On a non-racing front, the bid from the majority of clubs in the Bradford district to form an athletics network took a great step forward.

The aim is to become one of 50 networks approved by the national federation.

England Athletics’ Chris Jones confirmed on Thursday that the Bradford bid has been selected to go forward to the final stage of the process.

Chris thanked the group for the comprehensive information supplied and invited them to submit the next stage of paperwork by March 6.

Decisions would be made the week after, with the new networks starting in April.