Entry Forms for the Three Peaks Race are now available and runners are being advised to enter early because on April 25 the race celebrates its 50th Anniversary and the organisers are pulling out all the stops to ensure that the race is an occasion to remember.

This Yorkshire event is now the most famous and prestigious fell race in England in contrast with 1954 when there were three finishers from six starters.

In recognition of its 50th anniversary the race has again been accorded English and Yorkshire Championship status. The only question that fellrunners will ask of each other during 2004 will be "Were you at the Peaks?" and if the answer has to be "Yes" applications should be sent in now.

The Three Peaks Race has always been the benchmark in terms of marquees, refreshments, Raynet, Mountain Rescue and an electronic tagging system but for 2004 even this will be surpassed with extensive media support including Yorkshire Television which has made available the films of the 1976 and 1993 races.

The latter was won by Gavin Bland (Borrowdale) but it is primarily remembered for Mark Croasdale (Lancaster and Morecambe) being immortalised, if not mortified, when going from first to fourth on the run-in under the eyes of TV cameras.

For decades the Daily Mirror sponsored the race but this finished abruptly after Robert Maxwell fell off his yacht and since then no long term sponsor has supported the race although the high profile of the event in 2004 may prompt a sponsor to come forward.

In 2003 the race provided a delightful surprise with its first father and son victory when David Walker (Clayton-le-Moors) won to follow the three victories of his father Harry Walker.

For 2004 every entrant will receive a Celebratory Brochure including a historical review, lists of past winners, photographs and an insert listing all runners in the 50th event.

Skyrac has strong links with the race. For many years Howard Sawyer won the Scout Prize; Skyrac President Neil Clayton is one of the few runners to have received the prestigious award for 21 finishes; Chairman Graham Breeze is on the race organising committee and Bill Wade, who has completed the event on 33 occasions, is Entries Secretary.

The record for finishers stands at 415 but there is no doubt that the cut off for entries of 600 will be reached in 2004 and there is optimism that the quality field will spur the 2004 winner to a record time in this glorious 50th Anniversary year. The closing date for entries is March 24 but would-be runners are advised to enter early because when the 600 race numbers have gone, they will have gone!

You can get in touch with Skyrac via www.skyrac.org.uk or 01943 874046.

Otley Athletic Club

OTLEY Athletic Club had 12 members competing in the traditional first monthly club handicap race of the year, commencing in North Rigton.

Covering an approximate 10km road circuit encircling the outstanding local feature of Almscliff Crag, Tom Hannah was the first finisher home in a net time of 43.08. Finishing second, 24 seconds later, was Terry Flynn with a net time of 45.32.

Third finisher was Kath Robertshaw in a net time of 45.39 and Kath was followed home by Bob Payne in fourth place (46.46 net) and then Malcolm Court in fifth in a net time of 38.18, which was also the fastest time of the day.

This coming weekend provides members with plenty of high quality racing opportunities with both the Northern Cross-Country Championships to held at Heaton Park, Manchester, on Saturday and the highly popular York Half Marathon being run on Sunday morning.

It should be noted, however, that entries for the York Half will not be accepted on the day since the race was fully subscribed as far back as last October.

Members are reminded that the club's annual presentation night is to be held at The Fox, Menston, on Friday, February 13, and that names, food orders and cheques (payable to Otley AC) should be provided to Neil O'Brien at the earliest opportunity.

Training nights will as usual take place from Otley RUFC tonight, Thursday, and next Tuesday and Thursday commencing at 7.15pm. New members of all abilities are welcome to join and further details can be obtained from www.otleyac.co.uk

N of E Indoor Championships

Five local athletes excelled over both days of the North of England AA Indoor Junior Championships and brought home nine medals between them. These were held at the recently opened 200m indoor track at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

In the Under-17 women's age group, Horsforth's Bethany Staniland (Leeds City) used her combined events talents to the full, returning with a hat-trick of medals in a run, a jump and a throw. The highlight of her day came in the shot (4kg) where she won the gold medal with a personal best putt of 11.05m.

She also took the silver medal in the final of the 300m with an indoor personal best of 42.61s, having won her heat in 43.49s. Her third medal of the day was a bronze in the long jump with 5.10m. This latter event proved to be a Leeds City AC clean-sweep with Alice Simpson winning the gold (5.37m) and Kirsty Parr taking the silver (5.26m).

In the Under-20's both Laura Kirk (Skyrac AC) and Andrew Staniland (Leeds City AC) were not daunted by this season's move into the older age group. On Saturday, Laura was the gold medallist in the 400m with a fine indoor personal best time of 59.23s (59.51s in the heats) and then returned on the Sunday for second place in the 800m with 2.17.75s.

Andrew gained one silver and two bronze medals at the championships. In the Under-20 men's high jump, a personal best clearance of 1.95m gave him third place, but only on count-back as the winner and the runner-up also found 1.95m to be their maximum height on the day. Earlier Andrew had putted the 6kg shot a personal best distance of 12.52m for third place. On the second day of the championships, he took the silver medal in the U-20 men's long jump with 6.49m.

Guiseley's Emma Smith (Skyrac AC) also enjoyed considerable success with fifth position in the final of the U-20 women's 200m. Having run 27.29s for third place in her heat, Emma ran 27.68s in the final. She was also fourth in the U-20 women's triple jump with 10.46m.

Leeds Schools Championships

There was a remarkable set of results from the Leeds Schools Cross-Country Championships, which were held in Beckett Park, as Leeds City runners occupied 11 of the top 12 places in the junior girls' race.

Amongst this talented bunch there were excellent runs from the three Hall girls, all former Skyrac members. Eleanor was first, Elizabeth was third and Rebecca was ninth.

There were also fine performances from the Menston duo of Jodie Gregorczyk (2nd) and Jessica Best (4th). Only Skyrac AC's Laura Griggs managed to get amongst the Leeds City set with 11th position.

All will now represent Leeds Schools in the West Yorkshire Schools' Championships that will be held at Silcoates School, Wakefield.

Other local athletes who did well at Beckett Park were: Junior Boys: Jason Blac (Skyrac) 6th. Inter Girls: Lucy Foxall (Skyrac) 2nd; Lindsey Clark (Skyrac) 5th. Inter Boys: Robert Hall (Leeds City) 5th; Alex Davy (Leeds City) 7th; Sam Webster (Bingley) 8th. Senior Boys: Iain Clark (Skyrac) 6th.

Schools cross-country

CLEVEDON House School and Ilkley Harriers combined to host a cross-country meeting for primary schools in the area. Around 250 children took part and winners of the various age groups were:

Year 1, Girls - Molly Harris (All Saints Ilkley); Boys - Jack Hatton (Cleveland House). Year 2, Girls - Naomi Elliott (All Saints Ilkley); Boys - Elliot Dowley (Burley and Woodhead). Year 3, Girls - Eleanor Rice Birchall (Ben Rhydding); Boys - James Hall (Eldwick). Year 4, Girls - Lucy Deacon (Ben Rhydding); Boys - Jamie Shaw (Eldwick). Year 5, Girls - Harriett Middlebrough (Moorfield School); Boys - Matthew Naybour (Ben Rhydding). Year 6, Girls - Fiona Jordan (Cleveland House); Boys - Nathan Proctor (All Saints