THE World Mountain Running Championships took place at Betws-y-Coed in Snowdonia and Karl Gray of Brighouse finished eighth in the Masters race and was first over-45, becoming world champion in the process.

Gray is familiar in the local fell-running circuit for Calder Valley and in the West Yorkshire Winter Cross-Country League under Stainland Lions' colours.

The race had a good turn-out from New Zealand and the United States, as well as Italy, all traditionally strong at mountain running.

Unlike fell running, which goes up and comes down, mountain running only goes up.

Gray had to contend with a distance (10.6km) which is half his preferred length. However, several descents, twisty terrain and wet conditions between two Welsh peaks allowed him to employ his fell techniques.

The overall winner was from the decidedly unmountainous Netherlands – Zac Freudenberg. However, he is a naturalised American who moved there for studies and has remained.

In the shorter 8.7km race for over-55s, Ilkley Harriers gained two world champions – Geoff Howard in the over-70s and Norman Bush in the M75 age group. They finished together in 48min 57sec.

* The Yorkshire Half-Marathon at Haworth on Sunday was won by Joe Baxter of Pudsey & Bramley in 97min 22sec.

Kevin Doyle (Kimberworth) won the full off-road marathon in 3hr 30min 28sec, with Edward Davies (Otley) and James Clark (Pudsey Pacers) each a minute in turn adrift.

* The Great North Run included many personal bests.

Simon Frazer, a doctor at Bradford Royal Infirmary who has been part of the Enhanced Training Programme put on by Airedale Athletics and the Bradford Athletics Network, said: "Big thanks to Brian (Scobie, our coach) for the track sessions. I just got a PB at the Great North Run in 1:30:08.

"My last 800 metres was at 5.30-minute mile pace, which was almost a record for my track sessions as I desperately tried to get sub-90 (I would have got it if I hadn't had to run 13.2 miles by weaving).

"I definitely believe the track sessions and strength exercises got me the PB, so big thanks for the delivery and also the organisation behind the scenes."