LAST year's runner up James Hall took victory in the Gargrave Fell Race.

The 21-year-old Wharfedale Harriers runner was followed closely by Barlick Fell runner Jimmy Craig of Hellifield and third was Ali Burns of Wharfedale Harriers.

The first local was Gargrave resident Gavin Smith in 11th position, running in Skipton AC's colours.

The over-50 veteran award was won by Dave Hammond of Calder Valley. The top lady was 28-year old Jo Shelmerdine who was visiting her Mum in Grassington.

She spent her early years in the village until university and work called her further afield.

Alison Eagle was was second lady, first veteran and first local, the latter award due to a relatively new residency at the nearby hamlet

of Winterburn.

Despite six other major races taking place in the North West area

there was a good turnout of over 100 athletes ranging from the

novice to the experienced.

The local clubs Wharfedale Harriers, Barlick Fell Runners, Settle, and Keighley and Craven provided many of the prize winners.

The event was well supported by athletes from a wide area and there was a good turnout from the thriving Trawden AC, a club which was founded 20 years ago by local legend Gerry McCabe of Colne.

The under-nines were the first to test the conditions which were soft and they also provided the closest finish.

The two front runners crossed the line in tandem with little to split the times but mere points of a second.

Eight-year-old Toby Allerton of Baildon Eagles just had the edge over clubmate Freddie Ward. Lucy Bagot of Settle Harriers led the girls home.

Barlick Fell runner Jacob Reeday of Hetton was first home in the under-12 race with an impressive finishing time. One of the younger

competitors in this section, Settle Harriers Jack Sanderson, was second.

Otley AC runner Charlotte Rawstron ran a strong race as first

girl to finish and she was also in third place overall.

It was Madeline Moorhouse Smith who claimed the first local

prize though, living only a short distance from the Show field on Eshton Road.

A smaller field of runners tackled the under-14 course. Jack

Villiers of Barlick Fell Runners took the honours, followed by Keighley and Craven runner Donnabhan Rudden.

Will Atkinson won the first local male prize with his fourth position finish.

The first girl was Keighley and Craven's Beth Roberts who also won the first local girl award.

It was decided to let the under-17 competitors start their race

alongside the senior race and with a shorter course they were able to

finish comfortably before the seniors began to return.

Sixteen year old Tom Barrett from Gargrave was an easy winner. He will be hoping the victory stands him in good stead for next weeks England trials in the hills above Sedbergh.

Betty Bergstrand from Middlesbrough AC was the ladies winner with Katie Atkinson of Gargrave in second position. Katie

like her brother Will is now concentrating on more track related events and was heading off on Sunday to tackle a steeplechase course in Birmingham.

Under-nine boys: 1 Toby Allerton (Baildon Eagles), 6.22.23, 2. Freddie Ward (Unattached) 6.22.55, 3 Isaac Reeday (Barlick Fell

Runners) 6.27.

Under-nine girls: 1 Lucy Bagot (Settle AC) 6.25, 2

Bella McCredie (Barlick Fell runners) 7.25, 3 Francesca Bagot. (Settle AC) 8.16. First local: Aimee Lawn (Unattached) 9.25.

Under-12 Boys: 1 Jacob Reeday (Barlick Fell Runners) 6.39, 2 Jack

Sanderson (Settle AC) 7.07, 3 Dylan Carr (Ilkley Harriers) 7.20.

Under-12 girls: 1 Charlotte Rawstron (Otley AC) 7.11, 2 Isabella Welch (Stowmarket Striders) 7.23, 3 Anna Black (Unattached) 7.27. First Local: Madeline Moorhouse Smith (Unattached) 9.15

Under-14 Boys: 1 Jack Villiers (Barlick Fell Runners) 9.46, 2

Donnabhan Rudden (Keighley and Craven) 9.57, 3 Lewis Carr (Ilkley Harriers) 10.08. First local: Will Atkinson. (Keighley and Craven) 10.27.

Under-14 Girls: 1 Beth Roberts (Keighley and Craven) 10.29, 2 Scarlett Metcalfe (Keighley and Craven) 11.35, 3 Holly Crook (Trawden) 11.36. First local: Beth Roberts.

Under-17 Boys: 1 Tom Barrett (Keighley and Craven) 13.01(First local boy ).

Girls: 1 Betty Bergstrand (Middlesbrough AC) 15.33, 2 Katy

Atkinson (Keighley and Craven) 16.40 (First local girl).

Senior Men: 1 James Hall (Wharfedale Harriers) 23.05, 2 Jimmy Craig (Barlick Fell runner 23.25), 3 Ali Burns (Wharfedale Harriers) 24.34. First local: Gavin Smith (Skipton AC) 28.28.

Veteran over 50: 1 Dave Hammond (Calder Valley) 29.01.

Senior Women: 1 Jo Shelmerdine (Unattached) 34.04, 2 Alison Eagle (Ilkley Harriers) 35.24 (First local and first veteran over 50), 3 Dawn Tibbs (Trawden AC 36.12).

Weatherill Shield (for highest-placed local female from any category): Beth Roberts.

Donald McKell Trophy (for highest-placed male from any category: Tom Barrett.