NIK TARREGA heads into the cross-country championship season in fine form after some super displays over the festive period.

The York Knavesmire Harriers ace was the first lady home in the Guisborough Woods Fell Race on an excellent day for the club.

The race comprised a very gruelling course with some vigorous climbs over three laps.

But, as well as Tarrega's success, the Harriers' men won the team event with Stuart Grange finishing eighth, Jayson Cavill 21st and Giles Hawking 38th.

Other Mire runners included Andy Holliday in 46th, Robert Ward in 112th, Louise Venables in 113rd, Mark Harney in 139th, Emily Baines in 142nd and Graham Gill in 145th.

Tarrega also competed in - and was again first lady in - the Captain Cook Fell Race on the North York Moors at Great Ayton.

The race is very famous for the muddy descents but Tarrega handled them with aplomb to win the women's race.

Grange also shone again, coming fifth overall, with Chris Roberts seventh and Simon Collins 17th.

Other Harriers were Barry Atkinson in 48th, Hawking in 61st, Richard Tarrega in 79th, Phil Richardson in 90th, Andy Smith in 98th, Gill in 142nd, Stephen Jobson in 174th, Clare Rowntree in 214th and Alistair McQueen in 272nd.

Knavesmire's men also had success in the Jolly Holly Jog 10k at Ripon - taking the first team prize with Robert Ward finishing fifth, Richard Purser 10th and Laurence Griffin 18th.

There was another result of note for the Harriers in the East Hull 10k on Boxing Day where Stephen Maddison produced a good time of 36 minutes 56 seconds to be first in the male 45 category. Maddison a marathon specialist is preparing for a strong 2018.