THE CALDERDALE WAY RELAY has grown from 22 teams in 1984 to 102 this year.

Until 2009 it was held in mid-December, when conditions could be extreme for competitors and marshals alike. Indeed in 1993, barely a third of teams finished due to a snowstorm.

The first 20 years were dominated by Bingley and Pudsey & Bramley, with Dark Peak, Horwich, Calder Valley and Salford perennial challengers and lately winners.

Wharfedale Harriers entered the list of winners in 2012, with Barlick Fell Runners becoming podium contenders recently.

This year saw Wharfedale win again – by under three minutes – but Barlick suffered a time penalty for an infraction on the 4.8-mile third leg up and out of Todmorden.

Barlick led the first two legs but it was Lee Athersmith and Christian Holmes who brought the Silsden-based Harriers home in a time of 5hr 56min 43sec.

Wharfedale's ladies' team won their category in 8:05:36 – an hour off Clayton-le-Moors' 1989 record.

Bingley's men's record from 1996 (5:34:16) stayed intact as well, though the course – particularly the start and finishing legs – have changed over time.

Saltaire Striders were the pick of the Bradford clubs in 16th, with some guests from Airedale Athletics partners Bradford-Airedale.

Graham Corbett and Carl Kernick ran a fine opener in 13th and Simon Pass returned to partner Martin Fillingham on the fourth leg, while Will Kerr and Pete Hopson were fifth fastest overall on the anchor.

Saltaire again edged out Keighley & Craven (20th), for whom Chris Loftus and Shaun Wilkinson finished 11th on the opening 10.55-mile run.

Queensbury came 24th, with Chris Williams and Alistair Galt clocking 64:07 on the leg past Stoodley Pike to Todmorden.

Baildon were 28th, with Peter Gallagher and Michael Malyon 16th on the short third leg.

Dewsbury pipped local rivals Spenborough for 40th position, while Pudsey Pacers ended 45th.

Both Northowram Pumas and Eccleshill Roadrunners entered teams for the first time.

* The final 5K was held in this winter's ESHOLT JOHN CARR SERIES last Wednesday.

John Convery of Bingley won the over-50s category in 17min 18sec, which ranks the 54-year-old as 15th nationwide this year.