West Yorkshire clubs were the primary source of runners for three well-supported cross-country league events.

Although some runners take part in more than one league, it bears testimony to the strength of endurance athletics in the county that the combined total of runners in the latest fixture of each was over 1,100, including some 350 in junior age categories.

On the same day as the West Yorkshire Winter League kicked off at Pudsey, the PECO League drew over 300 to Fitzwilliam Country Park near Ackworth for a two-division format that brings the potential of promotion and relegation into play for the 17 clubs involved.

While Leeds-based clubs dominated the senior male race, Saltaire Striders will not have been too disappointed with a fifth-placed finish in the Premier Division.

Their first runner home and first over-40 was Simon Pass, who has been able to convert training miles to racing since joining the club.

Saltaire could not compete with Valley Striders, who placed three runners in the top five behind race winner Paul Marchant (Rothwell), and led the standings on the day.

Bradford Airedale, who made great strides to be promoted last year, finished eighth, with Matt Nowell and Martin Firth taking 22nd and 23rd places.

The ladies' race was won by guest triathlete and Swansea Harrier Non Stanford, who came home ahead of former Commonwealth Games competitor Tracey Morris (Valley Striders).

Leeds clubs rule the roost in the Premier League, although several Bradford clubs will be seeking promotion from the First Division this year.

Good performances from Stephanie Haughton (sixth) and Emma Inglis (13th) led the Airecentre and Saltaire teams to second and third in that table, just 20 points apart.

In the eight-ten year old junior race, Ilkley and Wharfedale shared the spoils between Euan Brennan in the boys and Shona Hastings in the girls.

In the older age group (11-16), Bingley’s Emile Cairess led the way, while Ilkley’s Lucy Williamson added to recent performances in the Complete Runner League to win the girls' race.