Heavy going on a tough grassland course made this year's Yorkshire Cross-Country Championship based at Aireville Park, Skipton, a true test.

Skyrac Athletic Club's performance of the day came from 14 year-old Rebecca Harrison who ran a committed race to place fourth in the girls under-15 event.

Rebecca, who attends Menston St Mary's School, ran hard over the last 1000 metres uphill, to secure her place in the Yorkshire Cross-Country team for next month's inter- counties event in Nottingham.

Rebecca was delighted with her performance and thanked her team mates for their support. Rebecca has also been awarded a £50 sports voucher from the club for her performance. Her twin sister Bethany came 37th over the 4000 metre course.

In the girls under-13 race Skyrac's Pippa Cox of Prince Henry's Grammar School, ran well to place 19th with Jay Riley 22nd and Kate Walsh of Benton Park School 24th.

The girls' team came seventh on the day. This performance was a great team effort by the girls, especially when Jay and Kate can still compete next year as under-13s. Grace Goodall from the Guiseley School came 51st.

Harriet Middlebrough, who has been in tremendous form, was out of luck after being spiked on her heel.

She was in the first four in the park and was caught from behind and lost a shoe. She tried to continue without the shoe but badly cut her foot and was instructed to stop running by club officials.

In the boys under-15s race Michael Hinchcliffe of Prince Henry's Grammar School came 35th over the 4,500 metre course in 20min. 02 secs. In the senior women's race over 5,900 metres Lisa Dent ran well to place tenth. Helen Wade was 60th.

In the junior women's race Lindsey Clark came home in 11th place in 31min 34secs. The senior men's race over seven miles had Skyrac's Ian Clark in 92nd place in 50 min 34 sec, Frank Glass 163rd, Bob Pritchard 166th, Malcolm Coles 188th and Peter Wade 199th.

Otley AC took a strong team to Skipton to brave a hilly course which suits runners more accustomed to the fells. The conditions were cool but the course became muddier as the day progressed.

In the ladies' race Josie Hodgetts made her debut and led the women's team home, finishing in a very respectable 56th place. She was followed by the ever consistent Kath Robertshaw in 86th and Carol Armitstead in 90th. Overall the team finished 17th.

In the men's race Ian Fisher was looking to add to his previous Yorkshire title in 2001. Ian did the team proud with an impressive fifth place in a field containing a host of international fell and road runners.

Ian's performance means that he qualifies for automatic selection for the Inter-Counties Cross-Country Championships in Nottingham.

In only his second appearance at the County Championships Jamil Parapia followed Ian home in a pleasing 20th place. Andrew Robertshaw was third Otley counter in 48th place and on his return to action Matt Cox was 70th. Dale Foster came home 103rd followed by John Armitstead in 136th and Andy Hunt in 154th.

On his debut Simon Anderson finished a promising 165th and behind him were Phil Robinson (186th) and Dave Cattenach (209th).

Overall the men's team finished in a very respectable ninth place.

The following day five Otley teams travelled to Harrogate for the Ringway Relay. Otley Tornadoes (Josie Hodgetts, Chris Carver, Andrew Robertshaw, Hugh Pearson, Zack Whitehead) finished an excellent second place and Otley Typhoons (Helen Walsh, Michael Pickard, Liam Dunne, Ray Hawksby, Simon Anderson) an impressive fourth.

Otley Hurricanes (Caroline Marler, Colin Best, Paul Clifford, Mark Clifford, Dan Lambert), Otley Stormers (Liz Fawcett, John Dade, Andy Hunt, Phil Robinson, Malcolm Court) and Otley Whirlwinds (Kath Robertshaw, Jack Robertshaw, Andy Sumner, Neil O'Brien, Dave Brocklehurst) finished the event in 10th, 11th and 15th places respectively.

The Tornadoes aggregate time was approximately five minutes behind the winners Harrogate.