Perfect running conditions favoured the Gargrave Show fell races which attracted 106 runners (writes Caroline Thompson).

The races were included in both the Wharfedale Harriers and Bofra Championship points calendar with some runners being members of both groups.

There were also runners unattached to either and some of these competitors were to test their fellow athletes to the limit.

Seven-year-old Marcus Preedy of Burnley was the first to prove this as he stormed home for victory in the under nines race.

Top Bofra runner Emily Throup, of Silsden, showed the boys the way to go in the under-12 category as she left them all standing to win the event. First boy was local runner Gareth Haycock of Gargrave, a position that earned him the distinction of winning the Donald McKell trophy for the highest placed local from any category.

Matthew Fretwell of Settle was first runner home in the under 14 race, followed closely by Lancaster athlete Jack Modley.

The under 17 race was extremely well supported but the talented Craven contingent of Hurst, Maud and Kelly were no match for Cumbrian runner James Fargher from Appleby.

Gargrave farmer's son, George Moorhouse took time out from the cattle lines to gamely run the course against the stiff opposition which earned him the local cash prize. Three runners who would normally run in the category, Claire and Alice Lilley of Giggleswick and John Marsh of Malham, opted out to take part in the longer senior route. Their finishing positions showed they are more than ready and able to take on their older counterparts.

The senior race started from the main ring in the heat of the afternoon but despite the heat in the ring, the show's man at the top declared it cold and windy at the pinnacle.

Last year's winner, James Mason of Grassington, was unable to defend his title because he was in Vietnam as part of a gap year. However he hopes to be home to compete in Saturday's race at Malham.

Forty-four runners left the ring and at the top Alistair Dunn from Kendal and Mark Horrocks of Barnoldswick, last year's third placed competitor, were shoulder to shoulder.

Thirty three-year-old Dunn just had the edge on the descent - maybe because he was due to attend a wedding in York in the middle of the afternoon!

A hugely creditable third place want to 17-year-old Harry Coates of Coniston Cold, who also picked up the first local prize. First local lady was Jane Butterworth of Gargrave.

Special thanks to all landowners, race marshals, Julie Lund for time keeping and Roger Ingham for his commentary.

RESULTS

Under-9s: Boys - 1 Marcus Preedy 6.13; 2 Philip Done 6.22; 3 Ben Anderson (also first local) 6.47; 4 Benjamin Hulse 7.48; 5 Dean Thompson 7.50.

Girls - 1 Emma Gledhill 6.54; 2 Rebecca Flanaghan 7.13; 3 Joanna Kelly 7.27.

Under-12s: Boys - 1 Gareth Haycock (also first local) 8.14; 2 Ben Johnstone 8.19; 3 Scott Baistow 8.21; 4 Harry Bannister 8.39; 5 Harry Modley 8.40

Girls - 1 Emily Throup 8.02; 2 Melanie Morphet 8.37; 3 Charlotte Ireland 10.09

Under-14s: Boys - 1 Matthew Fretwell 9.23; 2 Jack Modley 9.34; 3 Thomas Sessford 9.39; 4 Jonathan Bradshaw 10.00; 5 Matthew Cardus 10.17

Girls - 1 Lois Grinstead 10.51; 2 Emma Thompson 11.12; 3 Emma Flanaghan 11.55

Under-17s: Boys - 1 James Fargher 12.34; 2 Matthew Hurst 12.54; 3 Luke Maude 13.10; 4 James Kelly 13.24; 5 Jack Thompson 13.28; 6 George Moorhouse 22.12 (first local)

Girls - 1 Katie Ireland 17.52; 2 Rebecca Throup 20.03

Seniors - 1 Alistair Dunn 22.37; 2 Mark Horrocks (also first vet) 22.51; 3 Harry Coates (also first local) 23.45; 4 Steve Oldfield 23.57; 5 Ben Lonsdale 25.14; 6 Adrian Pickles 25.25

Ladies - 1 Claire Lilley 30.19; 2 Sarah Glover 30.30; 3 Alice Lilley 33.43; Jane Butterworth 35.27 (first local lady)