The winter cross-country seasons across West Yorkshire began with a flurry of races at the weekend, and included some fine performances from the district’s runners.

Donna Edmondson-Booker, of the Leeds & Bradford Triathlon Club, took first prize in the women’s race at the first meeting of the West Yorkshire Winter League Cross-Country Series in Pudsey on Saturday.

She took maximum points in the race, coming ahead of Tanya Seagar and Julie Field, both of last year’s winners from Stainland.

The finishes placed LBT just below Stainland in the overall rankings in the women’s race.

A fantastic fifth place from Jayne Butterworth helped Skipton to fifth overall, while Emma Stoney’s seventh and Nicola Bradford’s 12th helped their respective clubs Baildon and Pudsey Pacers to sixth and fourth respectively.

In the men’s race, Baildon’s Quentin Lewis took up second position behind Stainland’s Ben Mounsey to help his team secure fourth overall.

Stainland, however, once again took a lead of the men’s rankings, despite strong finishes from James Clarke and Nigel Armitage, who finished fifth and sixth to help last year’s winners Pudsey Pacers to second place overall.

Queensbury’s Chris Williams also ran a strong race, finishing fourth overall and leading his team-mates to sixth position.

Idle AC came in just one place behind after Phil Goode led the team home in 18th.

Simon Pass continued his hot run of form by taking first place in the first race of the Peco Cross- Country League at Fitzwilliam Country Park in Ackworth on Sunday.

The Saltaire Strider won the race ahead of Kippax’s Matthew Hallam and Valley Striders’ Jon Parker.

Pass’ team-mates Will Kerr and Andy Bedford finished fifth and eighth respectively to help Saltaire’s men’s team – completed by Martin Fillingham, James Rush, Mike Chambers, Ian Jones and Mick Brearley – finish the first race in third place overall, just behind Valley Striders and Abbey Runners in second.

Saltaire’s women’s team also finished third following strong finishes from Hannah Oldroyd, Jen Willingham, Louise McGechaen, Helen Love and Tracy Foy, who finished 13th, 18th, 34th, 42nd and 55th respectively.