Olympic Marathon runner Tracey Morris was the guest of honour at Leeds City AC's annual presentation evening at the South Leeds Stadium when several local athletes were rewarded for their performances in the 2003-2004 season.

On the track and field side, James Heaton from Ilkley and James Sleigh from Cookridge each received awards for outstanding performances in the U-15 boys age group.

Both enjoyed an excellent club season, but also excelled in combined events championships, being two thirds of the victorious West Yorkshire pentathlon team at the English Schools Championships in the last meeting of the season.

Also in the male awards, Horsforth's Andrew Staniland was presented with two trophies. The Great Britain U-20 decathlete and long jumper, had his fine season which saw him ranked as the fifth best U-18 long jumper in the World, rewarded with the club U-20 award and the Arthur Riggs Trophy for the outstanding contribution to the club's male teams.

Andrew's sister, Bethany, received a special award in recognition of her double international selection for the England Schools U-17 team at both 300m hurdles and heptathlon.

The ubiquitous Celia de Maria of Yeadon had her multi-talents and commitment rewarded with the female senior club award.

Several local harriers also had their achievements recognised in another season which undoubtedly saw Leeds City confirm its position as one of Britain's leading cross-country and road running clubs.

Andy Beevers was presented with the senior harriers award and Simon Deakin duly earned the Stewart Dobson Trophy for the outstanding male harriers performances.

The female award for outstanding success went to new international Gill Keddie from Rawdon. Menston St Mary's student Jessica Best picked up the female U-13 harriers award.

Skyrac AC

The Skyrac AGM last week saw changes in Club Chairman and Fell Captain with Stephen Batley and Martin Farrar taking over these two key positions.

There was also much discussion on the recent surge in young athletes who wish to train with Skyrac, perhaps inspired by the Athens Olympic Games.

Whilst Skyrac has a 35 year history its heart has always been its young athletes and it was particularly pleasing to hear reports that some of the new junior athletes were being accompanied on their Tuesday and Thursday evening training sessions by their parents.

Club President Neil Clayton has been a Skyrac member for three decades and he reflected on both the glory and the turbulent years that he has experienced as one of the longest serving officers.

Neil and Sue have had a house in France for some years and are to make this their permanent home in 2005 shortly after they organise what will be their last Otley Chevin Fell Race in June.

The Withins Skyline last weekend was the penultimate race in the 2004 Derek Emsley Memorial Trophy. The fine running day attracted 272 runners although recent rain meant conditions were heavy underfoot. The winner was John Hennigan (P&B) in 44:24. First Lady was Sharon Taylor (Bingley) in 54:19.

Skyrac's seven runners came 38, Duncan Asquith 53:33; 66, Martin Farrar 54:53; 98, Robert Pritchard 57:43;144, Damian Burras 1:02:05; 177, Malcolm Coles 1:04:55; 203, Dave Hill 1:07:36; and 223, Stephen Burras 1:09:37.

Trophy medal positions are currently occupied by Martin Farrar, Stephen Batley with Graham Breeze and David Hill sharing third place. Martin Farrar will win the overall trophy but second and third places will not be decided until the Great Whernside Race on November 13.

Skyrac can be contacted via www.skyrac.org.uk or 01943 874046

Otley Athletic Club

OTLEY Athletic Club last Sunday competed in the tenth race of the Eric Smith Handicap 2004 Series at Esholt. The 5.4-mile clockwise circuit starts within the Yorkshire Water complex.

Sixteen members competed with 14 minutes separating the first and last off. Once the towpath of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal was reached the back markers had gained a sight of some of those ahead.

Eventually a right turn off the canal bank took the runners to the footbridge back over the River Aire. The lane back into Esholt was reached with the finish about a quarter of a mile beyond the village.

The first three finishers all ran off a four minute handicap. Graham Stead (net time 35.35) led new member Hugh Pearson (net time 35.48) to the finishing line. Peter McGouran followed in third position with a time of 36.43.

David Cattanach finishing in 12th position still leads the series table with 105 points. Tom Hannah finished 14th but retains second position in the series with 98 points. Back marker Ian Fisher finished in seventh position with a time of 27.06.

The official results of the three Amsterdam races held on Sunday, October 17, have become available.

Ten members competed in one of the three events. A total of 4,495 finished in the marathon. Nick Hodgkinson led the Otley runners from the start to just beyond the 25k marker.

Phil Robinson was first to overtake him with Dave Hainsworth and Tom Hannah doing the same before the 30k marker. Dave overtook Phil between 35k and 40k with Tom being the club's third finisher. This was a gutsy run for Tom as he had been full of cold during the previous week.

Nick was motivated in the later stages by a fellow runner with 'Quitting is not an option' printed on the back of his tee-shirt.

The finishing times and positions were: Dave, 1,114th, in 3-27.33 (12th M55); Phil, 1244th, in 3-29.36 (8th M60); Tom, 1684th, in 3-39.22, and Nick, 3299th, in 4-14.16.

The second race was a 10k that had 3,936 finishers. Jenny McKenzie, 800th, in 50.34, and Janice Ward 1,233rd in 54.03. Both ran well in such a congested race.

The final race was the half marathon with 5,880 finishers. It took Otley runners between two and five minutes to cross the starting line after the starting gun.

The times and positions were:Jack Robertshaw, 341st in 91.21; Peter McGouran, 924th in 99.05; Ursula McGouran, 1933rd and 159th woman in 106.55; and Kath Robertshaw, 3540th and 480th woman in 116.56. Kath had entered the marathon but broke her foot eight weeks before the event and had her entry transferred to the half-marathon.

Next Saturday the second of the West Yorkshire Cross-Country League fixtures is at Bramley Falls Woods. The ladies need to be there by 1.20pm and the men 2pm.