THERE are fewer local 10 mile races tougher than the Guy Fawkes 10, hosted by Nidd Valley Runners at Ripley. Led off by the man himself, it seems appropriate that the first club finisher was David Fawkes, who came 94th out of 811 in 71.53.

Alan Simpson was next, 328th in 84.50, managing to keep ahead of Duncan Fothergill, 329th in 84.54, improving on his previous best time by a full 17 minutes. A fantastic effort, and a result no doubt of extra training this year to complete 1000 miles in aid of charity. Marc Davies was 453rd in 91.00 and Steve Billings 513th in 93.45.

The Leeds Abbey Dash 10k, out and back from the centre to Kirkstall Abbey, was altogether a bigger and more crowded event, as well as being flatter, with over 10,000 entrants, and is popular because fast times are possible. Rob Lickley was first club finisher in 42.30, Charlotte Wilton 43.02, Alan Harman 53.41, Joanne Hunt, a relative newcomer, 68.34, Malcolm Aitken, supporting a friend, as ever, 72.45, Ian Codling 73.39 and Marian Codling 77.49.

There were 15 members among the 395 at the ever popular Fountains Abbey Park Run, with club captain, Olivia Mulligan first home, 16th in 20.04, evergreen Ian Crane 55th in 22.42, Liz Wordsworth 215th in 29.27, Chris Wordswoth 217th in 29.32, Linda Bamforth 221st in 29.40, Nigel Morgan 230th in 29.47, Steve Isaac 239th in PB 30.27, Naomi Wood 259th in 31.30, Gillian Crane 261st in 31.34, Paul Wood 264th in 31.39, Drikus van der Westhuisen 277th in 32.35, Ian Codling 309th in 35.18, Marian Codling 341st in 38.44, Oliver Lewis 373rd in 42.11 and Kirsty Parker 374th in 43.43, both the latter two doing their first ever Park Run, having been part of the club's beginners' group in the summer.

At Northallerton, Tracey Lowther did a PB to finish 38th out of 83 in 28.39.

Hayley Tyson was once again among the 679 finishers at Sheffield Hallam, coming 189th in 23.58, while Peter Richardson acting as sweeper in the Catterick event, came 148th in 47.51.