The last of this season's NYSD X-C fixtures was hosted by Richmond and Zetland Harriers at Richmond School on Sunday, March 16.

The early morning frost and mist gave way to a clear and sunny afternoon, perfect weather for competitors, officials and spectators. The individual League titles for all 15 age groups are scored on the best five results from a maximum six, and all competitors scoring 20 points or more earn a medal, whereas the team trophies are earned for total points for the whole season. Despite most awards being sorted, runners and clubs still had their last races - to be sure.

The first three of the Harriers' 11 medallists came in the Under-13 Girls race as Scarlett Gray, Jo Adams and Jessica Gray finished with 37, 35 and 29 points respectively. Jo Adams had a great race for a best-of-the-season second place finish.

Chris Andrade finished ninth on the day, four places behind teammate Philip Fitzpatrick whose six points took him to 21 and a medal.

The Under-15 Girls title was a sure thing once Jessie Roberts turned-up. Jessie is a superb talent - with three wins and one second place from her previous four League races (and despite competing in a 22 mile bike race around Wensleydale in the morning!) she ran second to finish tops with 48 points.

The Under-17 Boys race has had the smallest fields all season and there was no exception at Richmond where there were only nine finishers. The Harriers celebrated their third title when Louise Jackson finished second in the Ladies race, finishing her first season as a Senior with 47 points and the individual Trophy. Rachel Robinson was also a winner, finishing eighth on the day to finish with 31 points and a medal - number seven for the club. The Ladies Team Trophy was the second of the two most closely contested categories as M&C and RZH were tied on 52 points going into the race but the Teessiders were clear winners on the day and worthy champions.

The last four medals came out of the Men's race with two Seniors and two Veterans. Paul Welham of NMH was already assured of the individual Senior Men's trophy and the Harrier's John Aspell confirmed his runners-up place with seventh on the day. Jon Orange was second home for the club in tenth place despite a 20-mile training run the previous day. Jon's sponsorship from Peacocks of Richmond is providing him with the means that will end with a serious attempt at the title in the Veteran's race at the London Marathon. Jon only turned 40 last December; he has contested the season as a Senior and finished fifth overall. In the same month, Jim Robinson and Mike Brooks had their 57th and 55th birthdays respectively and, despite "giving away" several years to the opposition, copied their Senior teammates by finishing second and fifth overall in the MV2 category. The Men's team title was won by Nestle Rowntree and the Harriers were runners-up.

RZH results: under 13 Girls - 2nd Jo Adams, 5th Scarlett Gray, 7th Sophie Broadway, 8th Jessica Gray, 9th Rosie Adams, 14th Katie Roberts & 34th Francesca Fowden - 1st team; under 15 Boys - 5th Philip Fitzpatrick & 9th Chris Andrade; under 15 Girls - 2nd Jessie Roberts & 12th Leah Jackson; under 17 Boys - 2nd Nick Zissler; Ladies - 2nd Louise Jackson, 8th Rachel Robinson, 20th Fiona Hughes & 33rd (& 9th U17) Sadie Potter - 3rd team; Men "A" team - 7th John Aspell, 10th, Jon Orange, 15th Ken Harker, 21st Shaun Purkiss, 55th (& 4th MV50) Jim Robinson & 63rd (&5th MV50) Mike Brooks; "B" team - 90th Paul Zissler, 94th Ian Hepworth & 97th Neil Piper - 3rd team.

Further afield, Nottingham University student Andrea Woodvine has won the last three East Midlands League races for her University team; at Colwick Wood, Nottingham, in Bramcote Park and at Wollaton Park. This Sunday, Redcar Running Club are hosting the Road Relays at Locke Park, Redcar with the first race for under-13 Boys at noon.

* For more information on Richmond and Zetland Harriers, go to www.rzh.org.uk.

Thirsk and

Sowerby Harriers

The White Horse Wander was the tenth fell race of the winter series. It is a tough, hilly course, and the event attracted 100 runners on a beautiful sunny morning. Twenty-four of them were from Thirsk and Sowerby, as this was the latest event in their Club Championship.

Charles Stead of Northumberland Fell Runners was the winner in a time of 42.09 minutes. There were excellent results from the Harriers, with Merv Burn fifth in 45.18 and Richard Hall sixth in 45.55.

Other Harriers: Stewart Mechie 14th 48.43, Rob Burn (returning to competition after injury) 23rd 50.28, Richard Soper 28th 52.23, Oliver Harrison 35th 53.19, Caroline Pollard (first lady runner) 37th 54.08, Angela Hayward 40th 54.47, Ernie Huck 46th 55.50, Alasdair Thorpe 49th 56.25, Neil Mechie 53rd 56.41, Alan Summers 54th 56.53, Alan Wikeley 63rd 58.49, Jill Soper 73rd 60.53, Steve Harrison 78th 62.46, William Hayward 80th 63.20, Pat Kirby 81st 63.28, Nicola Thorpe 84th 65.38, Cath Lumb 87th 67.01, David Shorrocks 89th 68.16, Kaye Mechie 90th 69.15, Judith Seaton 92nd 70.37, Sarah Summers 98th 79.19, Pamela Sherlock 99th 81.10.

David, Judith and Pamela were taking part in their first ever fell race.

When team points were calculated, Thirsk and Sowerby A team was in first place, the B team was fourth and the C team seventh.

In the Ladies' competition the A, B and C teams were in first, second and third places respectively. Well done