Skyrac's Laura Kirk continues to add to her collection of medals. In 2003 Laura won the AAA Under-17 women's 800 metres with 2.08.09. She recently returned to the distance as a 17 year-old at the English Schools' Championships in Gateshead and won the silver medal in a time of 2.10.52 behind Hertfordshire's Hayley Beard (2.09.21).

This result was impressive because Laura is now running with a year in hand on some of her rivals and had spent the early part of the season focussing on the 400m winning a gold medal in the AAA Indoor Junior Championships.

The English Schools' Championship might not mean much to the man in the street but something that has lasted for 75 years, attracted 1800 competitors and was featured on BBC Grandstand is a significant event and the route along which many Olympians have passed.

On the fells Martin Farrar has spent the spring wondering when his day would arrive. Having secured maximum points in the last three Derek Emsley Memorial Trophy events he is now running like a man whose time has come.

Last weekend he was at Ingleborough where record holder Mark Croasdale (Bingley) won in 47:48 with Martin 49th (1:04:04) and Nigel Kirkbright 60th in 1:07:58.

Meanwhile at the British and English Championship race at Kentmere the Sportident system was in use. This is a technological marvel where runners use a dibber to record their time electronically at each checkpoint which is then downloaded at the finish to produce a comprehensive breakdown of all the times.

The only problem on the day was that the local marshall had placed the equipment allocated for the summit of Ill Bell on the top of Froswick, which unfortunately was not part of the course. Never let it be said that fellrunners do not have a sense of humour.

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

International taste for

Bethany

Sixteen-year-old Bethany Staniland of Horsforth enjoyed her first taste of international athletics on Saturday at the Melbourne Stadium in Chelmsford, Esssex.

After having won the silver medal in the 300m hurdles at last week's English Schools Championships, she was selected to represent the England Under-17 team in the British Schools International match against Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

In the first track event of the match, Bethany, of Leeds City AC and the Girls' Grammar School, Bradford, ran well, but was just outside the medals in fourth place. Her time was 45.37s, half a second below her best, but ahead of both Welsh and both Scottish girls. She would have had to run a PB for the bronze medal. Additionally, in the second to last event of the meeting, Bethany ran the second leg for the winning England 4 x 300m relay team. Not only did this quartet win the race but also set a new British age record of 2 mins 39.66s. In this, Bethany produced the excellent split time of 39.8s.

St Mary's girls shine

The Under-13 girls' athletics team from St Mary's RC School, Menston, won the Leeds' Schools Athletics League held at South Leeds Stadium. After competing at three pool meetings against five other schools they qualified for the finals night.

Competing in all athletics events the team took the competition by storm winning by ten points from Guiseley in second and Prince Henry's in third.

Along the way to the final 800m runner Jessica Best broke the Leeds Schools' record along with Danielle Carr who broke the 200m Leeds schools' record in the final. Both girls train with the City of Leeds Athletics club. Members of the winning team were: Danielle Carr, Jessica Best, Kate Langham, Francesca Rhodes, Martha Wood and Sophie Hall.

Otley Athletic Club

It was a case of one-two-three for Otley Athletic Club at the weekend. On Sunday morning, second claim member Jamie Noon took the honours by winning, for a consecutive year, the hilly Pudsey 10k Challenge in a new course record of 35.15. Also competing in the entry of 308 runners was Malcolm Court who recorded 42.47 (30th position).

At the same time, and just a few miles away at Adel, Ian Fisher was finishing second in the Eccup ten mile race in 53.53. Otley AC were well represented in this event which had 485 finishers.

Their results were: Julian Mawson 56.35 (fifth); Howard Jeffrey 63.45 (41st); Mick Jeffrey 66.11 (65th); Tom Hannah 70.41 (109th); Carl Walsh 72.03 (125th); Phil Robinson 74.09 (152nd); Dave Hainsworth 77.01 (193rd); Antonio Cardinale 82.25 (267th); Hannah Peacock 83.26 (283rd); Helen Walsh 83.26 (284th); Peter McManus 83.59 (293rd); David Cattanach 89.11 (344th); Clare Kellett 94.25 (410th); Kathryn Atkins 107.13 (472nd).

On Friday night, 18 teams finished the Washburn Valley Relay hosted by OAC from Fewston Reservoir. Otley's first team comprising David Cattanach, Phil Robinson, Julian Mawson, Neil Cayton and Ian Fisher finished third behind event winners Skipton AC and second place Abbey Runners.

Last night (Wednesday) members enjoyed the last event and presentation night of the Harrogate League Summer Race League hosted by Ripon Runners and this coming Sunday evening a barbecue is to be held. Training is as usual from Cross Green tonight commencing at 7.15 and next Tuesday the latest club handicap race (3,000m) is to take place at Beckett Park track meeting at 7.30 for 7.45pm.

For more information on the club's activities and the ever increasing number of members' profiles in the Meet The Members link visit www.otleyac.co.uk

Young Athletes

Leeds City AC's Young Athletes League team maintained their progress towards the UK National Finals following another strong performance in Round Four (out of five) of the Northern Premier League. This was held at Manchester's Sport City Stadium and Leeds finished second behind Sale Harriers, but well ahead of both Kingston upon Hull AC and Wrexham AC to further add to their chances of again competing against Britain's top club teams at Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, in early September.

As has been the case all season, local athletes were outstanding points earners.

Results: U-17 men - Fraser Davies (Menston) 1st A discus (36.75m) and 2nd B high jump (1.65m); Alex Davy (Yeadon): 2nd B 3000m (9.57.4); Robert Hall (Guiseley) 2nd B 400m hurdles (74.7s) and 3rd B 800m (2.28.3).

U-15 boys - James Heaton (Ilkley) 1st A long jump (5.50m); 2nd A high jump (1.65m) and 2nd A shot (10.00m).

U-17 women - Georgina Ablett (Bramhope) 2nd A discus (22.86m); 1st B shot (7.45m) and 3rd B 100m (13.4s).

U-15 girls - Danielle Carr (Menston) 2nd B 200m (28.1s); 3rd B 100m (13.7s) and 3rd B long jump (4.19m); Jodie Gregorczyk (Menston) 1st B 1500m (4.59.5).

The final match is at the South Leeds Stadium on August 1 against Gateshead Harriers, Blackpool and Flyde AC and Preston Harriers. Leeds need to come at least third in this to ensure a National Final spot.