The York Club and Institute Union Race Walking Association opened the season with the Lennie Yeomans Memorial Walk.

Held at South Bank from a mass start, the handicap winner was York City's supporters' chairman Andy Heppell (South Bank) in a time of 67 minutes 19 seconds.

Second was Fulfordgate's Dick Cole (63-36) with South Bank's Stuart Wilkinson third (54-08).

Mixed fortunes for Tang Hall Spartans were Wally Johnson's non finish, John McClure's retirement from the sport but Baz Watkinson's fastest loser Tag (60-30) compensated.

Huntington's Graham Jackson was the fastest competitor of the night.

A departure from past formats was the introduction of this race and the Roy Thorpe Sponsored Walk to count for league standings.

The fixture list comprises: May 8, Fulfordgate Sponsored (Roy Thorpe); May 13, Groves; May 21, Haxby; June 3, Huntington; June 11, Tang Hall; June 19, Fulfordgate; June 25, Post Office; July 1, South Bank; July 10, Poppleton Road (BSC); July 17, Fulfordgate Championship.

All 10K to start at 7pm.

Updated: 10:19 Saturday, May 03, 2003