York Knavesmire Harriers made a convincing start to the West Yorkshire CRoss-Country League in difficult conditions at Halifax.

Lizzie Adams’ comfortable first place helped the Mire ladies take third position overall, finishing 30 seconds ahead of second-placed Emily Kee.

Helen Cross (third), Abby Lawrence (12th), Fiona Strange (49th) and Amy Ross (71st) also helped the Harriers’ cause.

Kim Critchley came second in the men’s race and Abdul Aziz-Abdulrahman finished 18th.

With Richard Lowson finishing 28th, Giles Hawkings 46th, Darren Hendley 59th and Kevin Langhan 71st, the team came fourth overall.

Nick Langhan represented Knavesmire in the junior race and finished 23rd.

York Acorn Running Club member Matt Driscoll had a remarkable victory in the tough ten mile cross country race – the Para’s 10 Challenge.

Racers must complete the course in less than one hour 50 minutes while optionally carrying a 35lbs pack.

More than a thousand runners opted for the pack and Driscoll triumphed.

He won by more than two minutes in a time of one hour 16 minutes and five seconds.