KNAVESMIRE Harriers' Neil Holdsworth was the highest placed York-area runner in the Spen 20 at Spenborough.

He clocked two hours 17mins 4secs to finish 23rd in a race won by D Brooksbank (Barnsley) in 1-58-30.

Holdsworth's team-mate Pat Boden was the highest York woman finisher in 2-47-55 with Steel City's M Picksley taking the women's race in 2-24-28.

There was a thrilling finish to the South Leeds Stadium Five Mile event based on two laps of Middleton Park.

Approaching the stadium leader Mohamed Elasdeki slowed with a stitch and was overtaken in the last few yards by Tom Hearle (Kilbarchan AC) and Matthew Watson (Bingley).

Of the local men, Dave Lancaster (York Acorn) was 21st, and third in the Over-40 section. Malcolm Fawcett (Knavesmire Harriers) picked up a trophy for second in the Over-60 section.

Other strong performances from York-area competitors came from Brian Dobson (South Hambleton), Richard Freer (Selby Striders) and Andy Sheldon (Living Well Gym).

Wakefield's Penny Thackray was eighth overall and won the women's race. Lisa Guscott-Trout (Knavesmire) finished 42nd overall and was fifth woman home.

Knavesmire's Mike McGrath slashed five minutes off his personal best in the Ackworth half marathon, missing second place in the Over-50s section by 28 seconds.

Malcolm Fawcett celebrated his wedding anniversary with second place in the Over 60s.

Race winner was Ian Fisher (Otley), who continued his impressive season with 1-07-41 to deny Dave Bond (Askern), winner in 1999 and 2000, a third title. Last year's winner David Watson (Holmfirth) was third.

The women's race was won by Treena Carney (Dewsbury) in 1-23-16 from Sue Cariss (Bingley).

York-area women were led home by Dawn Gibbs (York Acorn), sixth overall and second spot in the Over-45s, while Jean Snelling won the Over-65s.

Updated: 11:51 Thursday, April 04, 2002