Will Smith retained his Bronte Way crown but was pushed all the way in Sunday's point-to-point race over the South Pennine moors.

Smith (right), who lives in Glusburn, had the luxury of a five minute winning time last year, but this time out he had three runners hot on his heels/

Richard Pattinson from Leeds, Lloyd Kellett of Keighley, and Skipton AC's Lee Athersmith were in persuit.

Less than two minutes separated the leading pack at the finish in Haworth main street , front of the Fleece pub. Smith (55.16) was a second up on his previous best with Pattinson (55.42) closest.

Again the veterans turned in some tremendous performances with Jonnie Butler (K&C V45) showing his return to fitness with fifth spot. While Horsforth Fellandale's Paul Reynard -- the first sixty plus runner -- had a superb day for 24th.

Helen Glover made it a K&C winning double by taking the ladies race. She finished 35th overall in 69.49. She had more than two minutes to spare on second-placed clubmate Debbie Spurr.

For the first time in three years numbers competing dipped below the 100 mark but the race again proved a huge social success. Thanks go from the organisers, Keighley and Craven AC, to the Mel and Chris at the Fleece and to Taylor's Brewery for their support.

Results

1 Will Smith (Keighley and Craven) 55.16, 2 Richard Pattinson (Leeds) 55:42, 3 Lloyd Kellett 56:00, 4 Lee Athersmith (Skipton) 57:15, 5 Jonnie Butler (K&C V45) 58:28.

Locals: 7 Des Fretwell (K&C V45) 59.16, 8 Tim Clegg (K&C V40) 59.35, 9 Liam Spencer (K&C) 60:33, 11 Paul Hindle (K&C) 60:53, 12 Simon Hassell 61:46, 13 Danny Ward (Bingley) 62:30, 16 Charlie Marshall (K&C V45) 64:21, 17 Chris Tomes (K&C V45) 64:31, 18 Richard Taylor 64:57, 19 John Egan (Bingley) 65:10, 26 Sam Cann (K&C V40) 67:14, 28 Neil Bland (K&C V50) 68.06, 29 Tony Minikin (K&C V55) 68.15, 30 Adrian Greenwood (K&C) 68.59, 33 Neville Whittingham (K&C) 69:11.

35 Helen Glover (K&C F) 69:49, 39 Brett Weeden (K&C V45) 71:30, 40 Debbie Spurr (K&C FV35) 72:02.41 Martin Leeming (V40) 72:37, 42 Jacqui Foster (K&C V35) 72:43, 44 Tony Moyle (K&C V45) 73:13, 46 Rachael Sharples (K&C FV35) 74:56, 47 John Hunt 75:17, 48 Andy Heaps (V40) 75.21, 50 Malcolm Garrett (V50) 75:34, 51 Laurie Prowse (K&C V50) 75:42, 52 Tony Fenton (K&C V45) 75:58, 54 Cath Fawcett (K&C FV50) 76:52, 56 Russell Fairhurst 76:56, 57 Arthur Leng (K&C V55) 77:38,

61 Freda Tate (K&C FV45) 78:48, 62 Laura Greenham (K&C FU18) 79.12, 63 Peter Wood 79:18, 64 John Preston (K&C) 79:37, 65 Steven Omar 82.08, 68 Emma Hopkinson (F) 83:57, 71 Steve Budimir (V45) 84:24, 72 Sharon Cousen (Halifax F) 84:54, 73 Rebecca Marshall (FV35) 86:16, 74 Brian Wilson (V60) 86:58, 75 Matt Rayner 88:58, 76 Cath Shaw (K&C FV35) 89:06, 77 Paul Buckley (V50) 90:03.

81 Linda Carey (K&C FV40) 93:08, 82 Dave Williams (V45) 93:33, 84 Jane Young (FV35) 102:18, 85 Patricia Gill (FV35) 102:18, 86 David Feltwell (Bingley V60) 120:57.