Bradford-based Yorkshire Race Walking Club took the top three positions in the latest Northern Winter League 10K at Thornton le Clay near York.

Richard Spenceley led the way in 57min 04sec, with teenager Nathan Duncan just five seconds behind him and Colin Scott third.

Local member Alistair Shand of Riddlesden, competing in his 15th and final event of the year, was seventh.

It has been a testing year for 50-year-old Shand, who has struggled to repeat his form of 2010 when he was recording sub-one hour over 10 kilometres.

“I’ve fallen into a pattern of 63 to 64 minutes for that distance, although the positive is that I’ve been consistent,” he said.

“There is now a gap in races until January so, weather-permitting, I’ll be able to train hard and work on my technique.

“My aim for 2012 is to get somewhere closer to the sort of performances I was putting in a year or two ago.

“I still hugely enjoy my racing and that, to me, is the main thing, but I am keen to improve.”

Shand is currently 32nd in the overall UK race walking rankings.