The last week saw much activity on both road and fell. On July 26 three members took part in the prestigious Snowdon International Fell Race. This covers a distance of ten miles and involves 3,300 feet of climbing.

Conditions were described as humid and the wet rocks were slippery. 363 runners finished the race, which was won by Tim Davies of Wales, in a time of 65.57

First home for Otley was Andrew Robertshaw who had an excellent run to finish 25th overall and fifth in the open category in a time of 76.03.

Andrew was followed home by clubmates Dale Foster (54th/21st) in 82.28 and Duncan Burgess (131st/81st) in 93.22.

The following Sunday saw another group tackle the Worsthorne Mag 7 Fell Race near Burnley. The race, which was run in very warm conditions, covered seven miles and required 900 feet of climbing.

First home for Otley was Jack Robertshaw (47th in 54.35), followed by Graham Stead (49th in 55.32), Kath Robertshaw (73rd in 61.33) and David Cattenach (91st in 71.19).

Kath was also first Lady V60.

On the same day, nine members took part in the Harrogate 10K road race. Ian Fisher finished third in 32.20. Other Otley finishers were: Malcolm Court (38.33), Chris Carver (39.28), Tom Hannah (41.38), Phil Robinson (42.18), Howard Jeffrey (43.00), David Fox (43.37), Don Buffham (47.50) and Antonio Cardinale (48.40)

The club caters for serious competitors and recreational runners and meets at Otley Rugby Club, 7.15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. New members are welcome.

Northern Women's League

Leeds City AC went into their fourth and final match of this season's Northern Women's League at the Preston Arena needing to beat Manx Harriers of the Isle of Man by one place to avoid relegation from Division Two West.

Instead they surpassed everyone's expectations by going considerably better and actually winning the meeting.

They took several notable scalps in the process, particularly those of Sale, Bolton and Preston.

Three local girls were major points earners for the Leeds club. First off the mark was Yeadon's Celia de Maria who once again lowered her 400m hurdles PB to win the A string in 68.0s. She then added a second place in the A 1500m (4.52.1) and a third place in the A 100m hurdles (19.1s) to round off a fine afternoon.

Fresh from a two week hockey tour to South Africa 15 year-old Bethany Staniland of Horsforth then pitched in with some successful throwing performances.

A second place in the A string discus (30.48m) was closely followed by an outdoor PB in the shot with a putt of 10.08m winning the B event and placing her second overall.

In the javelin there was some fierce competition, but a throw of 29.60m gave her sixth overall and fifth in the A string. A second leg of the victorious Leeds 4 x 400m relay team (4.10.1) was a pleasing finish to a busy afternoon's work.

Bethany was beaten in the shot by team-mate, veteran Hazel Barker, who launched her best putt for over two years to win the A string event with 10.26m. Hazel also enjoyed considerable B string successes with first in the high jump (1.40m), fourth in the javelin (20.66m) and fifth in the discus (16.86m). She also ran a leg of the third placed Leeds 4 x 100m quartet (53.1s).

Skyrac fellrunners

When Leonard Cohen wrote about stepping into an avalanche he had in mind the torture of love rather than fellrunning but the words are equally evocative of the Borrowdale race because the route is famous for two steep scree slopes.

The descent off Scafell Pike on the corridor route towards Great Gable is one of the most thrilling in fellrunning.

However, but the ascent up to Bessyboot, with boulders liable to fall onto fellrunners lower down the climb, was finally recognised as so dangerous that the FRA asked the race organisers to find another way.

This they did for the 30th race last Saturday adding almost a mile to the course.

A final fourth climb over Dalehead near Borrowdale is a tough event (17 miles, 6,500 feet) and it is ranked third in the pantheon of classic fellraces behind the longer and higher Wasdale and Ennerdale races.

The record goes back to 1981 when Billy Bland, sui generis, finished in 2 hours 34 during a period when he dominated fellrunning, only concluding in 1988 when he retired after his last Borrowdale victory.

A good field of 215 starters included winner Simon Booth (Borrowdale) in 2.49.12 ahead of inform Rob Jebb (Bingley) 2.51.03.

A surprise was to see the gifted but semi-retired Gavin Bland come in 8th (3.13.46) whilst the shock of the day was to see current English and British Champion Ian Holmes (Bingley) trail in 11th in 3.17.45.

For Skyrac Martin Farrar had a storming first try in the event to finish 67th in 4.10.11 whilst Graham Breeze, not wishing to upstage the great Ian Holmes, sauntered around in 4.48.50.

Skyrac caters for runners of any age, ability, discipline and www.skyrac.org.uk or 0113 229 0924 will explain how.