The most obvious fell race for the New Year weekend was the Auld Lang Syne Race from Haworth but who wishes to do the obvious?

Three of Skyrac's more discerning fell runners instead chose to run Saturday's Coley Canter multi-terrain race organised by Calder Valley Fell Runners and which starts from Shelf Village, famous as the final change-over point in the Calderdale Way Relay.

The race is not listed in the FRA Calendar to keep entries low and so avoid upsetting local farmers but it still attracted 84 runners. And multi-terrain can still include very muddy farm fields.

Race winner was Ben Mounsey in 45.33 and Anne Johnson was 19th and First Lady in 54.41: both of Calder Valley. For Skyrac Robert Pritchard was 14th (53.05) and Graham Breeze 17th and First Vet 60 in 54.22. With Malcolm Coles in 41st (61.21) Skyrac were second team behind host club Calder Valley.

On Sunday over 400 runners trailed to the Auld Lang Syne race which was won by Simon Bailey (Mercia) ahead of Ian Holmes (Bingley), reversing last year's result. Skyrac's Rob Weston was 81st (51.40), Martin Farrar 114th (53.50), Bob Pritchard 121st (54.50), Malcolm Coles 202nd (65.00) and Roger Dawson 340th in 70.50.

Given that the Coley Canter is not listed in the FRA Calendar it is ironic that the New Year's Day Giant's Tooth Race from Ogden Reservoir is, because much of the course is on gravel paths in a wood.

However every year this three mile race attracts a record turnout and the 2007 winner from 93 runners was Jonathan Hare (Halifax) in 16.41. First Lady and 16th was Lisa Lacon (Holmfirth) in 19.52 and for Skyrac Graham Breeze was 26th and First V60 in 21.15.

Over 40 athletes from Skyrac Athletic Club will be competing on Saturday in the Yorkshire Cross Country Championship in Aireville Park Skipton,first race on the programme is the girls under 13s starting at 11.10am.

The parkland course will be a tough challenge to all athletes. Club officials have inspected the course and held a training session for some of the juniors on the course last weekend.

The club has the course layout these can be collected from our clubhouse on training nights.

Full club colours must be worn when competing in these championships.Skyrac Athletic club is working in partnership with UK Athletics and the Power of 10 to promote athletics in local schools and the community and to attract the best youngsters into athletics from other sports.

If you want to try athletics as a sport and have a go at cross country,road running, track and field you are invited to join in training nights meeting at 7.30pm at the clubhouse in Nunroyd Park, Yeadon, on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Running is fun and the people at Skyrac are really nice. The club is introducing low key turn up, run and then have a drink in the clubhouse bar' evenings for beginners every month. Why not come down to the clubhouse in Nunroyd Park, Yeadon, on Tuesdays or Thursdays at 7.30pm, ring 01943 874046 or look at www.skyrac.org.uk?

Ilkley Harriers

Ilkley Harriers enjoyed some great racing over Christmas and the New Year. In addition to the 50 Harriers out racing at the Chevin Chase on Boxing Day, the New Year's weekend saw a similar number out racing on road and fell.

Sunday's Ribble Valley 10k is one of the most popular northern 10k road races and won this year by Sale's Stuart Stokes in 30:13.

Top performance from Ilkley Harriers was Geoff Howard's 37:08 for 132nd place, 2nd V60 in a top class field, and in a time believed to be in the top 25 in the country in that age group.

The close packing of the Ilkley ladies was notable too, with Amanda Oddie leading them in, third in her class.

Full Ilkley results were: 98, 37:08 Mark Iley; 109, 37:24 John Atkinson; 132, 38:19 Geoff Howard; 138, 38:30 Jeff Paget; 166, 39:06 Neil Chapman; 179, 39:23 David Brown; 180, 39:24 Terry Lonergan; 186, 39:32 Amanda Oddie; 189, 39:37 Helen Ilsley; 209, 40:01 Alison Bennett; 215, 40:13 Emma Barclay; 219, 40:19 Sally Malir; 236, 41:16 Pete Shields; 273, 41:58 Alex Hirst; 316, 43:02 Phil Chappell; 321, 43:20 Diane Haggar; 364, 44:30 Catherine Gibbons; 386, 44:54 Dave Taylor; 396, 45:07 Keith Wood; 398, 45:13 Vince Gibbons; 457, 46:34 Nick Mellor; 473, 47:06 John Coates; 516, 48:19 Bernie Gibbons; 534, 48:38 Phil Hirst; 699, 53:44 Pat Lonergan; 872, 61:19 Jo Taylor; and 922, 74:54 Andy Webster.

On the fells, the Auld Lang Syne Fell Race at Penistone the same day had Jamie Hutchinson 18th, Roy Ruddle, Bob Wightman, Mike Baldwin, Dan Goodey, Alison Eagle, Joyce Marshall, Ian Marshall, Lawrence Basham, Jemma Basham, Andy Wiggans, Pete Bedwell, and Rob King running.

Will Plastow was 18th in a field of 528 at Ripon's Jolly Holly Jog in 38:49.

Ilkley Harriers is a friendly club, training from Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club every Tuesday at 7pm. More info on www.ilkleyharriers.org.uk

Otley Athletic Club

The festive period provided plenty of opportunity for Otley Athletic Club members to maintain their racing fitness.

At the Boxing Day Chevin Chase no less than 34 members finished including some in fancy dress for charitable purposes.

On New Year's Eve four members travelled to run in a high quality field at the Ribble Valley 10k in Clitheroe. Jamil Parapia recorded a final good race for the year finishing 12th (32.02) ably supported by Hugh Pearson 200th (39.52), Tom Paget 332nd (43.35) and Hannah Peacock 690th (53.23).

The same morning, Ripon Runners hosted the mainly off-road and muddy Jolly Holly 10k Jog and Howard Jeffrey was again to the fore in 30th (40.31) followed by Tom Hannah 95th (44.29), Jack Robertshaw 101st (44.41), David Fox 140th (47.05), Peter McGouran 176th (48.15), Kath Robertshaw 178th (48.18) and Ursula McGouran 259th (52.48).

Fell runners were also well catered for at the Auld Lang Syne Race near Haworth and although full details are not known at the time of writing it is understood that Andrew Robertshaw, Matt Cox, Dale Foster, Phil Robinson and Colin Best all ran.

This coming Saturday, Otley have a number of runners in the Yorkshire Cross- Country County Championships being held in Skipton and five teams in Sunday's Harrogate Ringway Relay.

Adult runners of all standards are most welcome to join in with club training every Tuesday and Thursday evening commencing at 7.15 from Otley RUFC or visit www.otleyac.co.uk