World-record holders Filbert Bayi and David Hemery were among a group of international speakers at the Beyond 2012: Excellence For All conference this week.

Bayi compared his schoolboy training in Tanzania with the perfect running countryside in Bradford. Hemery showed how inspirational coaching led him, as one of the lowest qualifiers, to win Olympic gold in Mexico City.

Sixty guests from a range of sectors came together for this opening event at the new Leeds City College campus at Keighley.

Co-organiser John Dennis said: “I know from the feedback that it has truly inspired and given a huge boost to many people who are now in a position to make real differences in our district, in our sports and in our lives.”

Meanwhile, 21 local runners fall into the top ten rankings for their age-groups at the halfway stage of the 2010 UK road race rankings.

Bingley Harriers have ten men: John Convery (over-45, 5k, best time 15min 58sec), Peter Pyrah (over-55, 5k, 17:19), Shaun Jordan (over-55, 5k, 17:36), Bryan Parkinson (over-65, 5k, 18:42), Mike Smith (over-65, 5k, 18:52), Les Haynes (over-65, 5k, 19:16), Bob Dover (over-65, 10 miles, 68:15), Oliver Downing (over-65, marathon, 3hr 29:50), Fred Gibbs (over-70, 5k, 20:07; 10k, 42:47, and 10 miles, 68:04) and Peter Covey (over-70, 5k, 20:45).

Representing Ilkley Harriers are Henry Heavisides (over-55, 5k, 17:29) and Geoff Howard (over-65, 5k, 19:12). Pudsey & Bramley have Richard Pattinson (over-45, half-marathon, 73:55).

Bingley Harriers are also well represented amongst the ladies: Mary Wilkinson (5k, open age group, 16:53), Sarah Jarvis (over-35, half-marathon, 77:44), Pauline Munro (over-40, half-marathon, 83:23), Sue Beconsall (over-50, 5k, 18:29; and 10k, 37:57) and Sue Cariss (over-60, 10k, 42:47).

Ilkley Harriers have Sally Morley (over-35, 5k, 18:14), Keighley & Craven have Elizabeth Toms (over 50, 5k, 19:01) and Otley AC have Kathleen Robershaw (over-65, 5k, 24:24; 10k, 49:21).

Next Saturday, Ilkley Harriers are reviving the fell race at the Addingham Gala, which used to be popular in the 1980s. The race starts at 3.10pm and goes up and down Beamsley Beacon.