HEBDEN'S international runner Victoria Wilkinson produced an impressive performance in the Burnsall Classic Fell Race.

She was the first lady finisher in ninth place overall with the very fast time of 16mins, 52secs.

This was a very big change of distance for Victoria, who has recently returned home from representing England at the 40km Long Distance World Mountain Running Championship in Italy, where she finished a highly creditable fifth.

The Classic Fell Race attracted 129 entries and with local hero and last year’s winner, Appletreewick farmer Ted Mason away on England duty in Italy, it was 2015 winner Sam Tosh who was first back in 14mins, 28secs.

He finished 33 seconds ahead of Peter Hodkinson of Hunters Bog Trotters, with Joe Baxter of Pudsey & Bramley a further 19 seconds back.

The six age groups competing over the different junior fell race routes totalled 94, the highest ever number.

The young athletes could hardly be kept behind the starting line as they waited for the starter’s whistle, and all got a bog cheer as returned from the fell and into the finish funnel.

Ewan Wheelwright from Halifax Harriers won the under-18 race in 8.26, with Sam Thorn of Keighley & Craven second in 8.47 with Harry Johnson of Halifax Harriers finishing third in 8.51.

The first girl was Bernadette Raven of Ilkley Harriers in 8.54 as she finished fourth overall.

Keighley and Craven's Sam Headley took victory in the under-14 race in 6.55 while Issy Nicholls of Scarborough was fourth overall and the first girl in 7.26.

Victory in the under-12s went to Ilkley Harriers runner Archie Budding in 7.07 with the first girl being Otley's Charlotte Rawstron who was fourth overall just hours after competing at Gargrave.

Holmfirth's Declan Levay held off the challenge of Tom Hooper from Wharfedale Harriers to win the under-10s by one second in 4.21.

Third place went to Maisey Bellwood of Keighley and Craven who was the first girl finisher.

There was a Wharfedale Harriers one-two in the under-8 race with Hugo Bishop winning from the leading girl, Elena Hooper. Daniel Hood of Barlick Fell Runners was third.

THE 10 mile road race followed its sporting course from via Hartlington, Hebden, Grassington, Catchall, Linton & Thorpe. The 120 runners were led by Julian Hood of Skipton AC in a time of 57mins, 33secs.