YORK Knavesmire Harriers made a strong start to the West Yorkshire Cross Country League at Thornes Park in Wakefield.

Kim Critchley rolled back the years to run a brave race to take hold of the event from the start.

Critchley came back on the final lap to finish third overall and first in the male 40 category.

Darren Hendley came home second for the Mire in 66th place with new recruit Danny Chan running a great race to take 71st position.

Ewan Cochrane was 88th, Stephen Robson 100th and the final points scorer was Peter Downes in 108th.

The team was backed up by Richard Tarrega in 116th place, Mark Clough 131rd, David Darton 139th, Ian Bithell 147th, Colin Lea 149th and Peter Lyth 155th.

In the ladies race, Harriers ladies captain Nic Vogan had a excellent race to be the club’s first woman home in 18th.

Vogan was supported by Liz Matthews in 57th, Lousie King 70th, Samantha Lyth 79th and Kate Murdoch.

Knavesmire also sent a team to the British Fell & Hill Relays at the Middleton Fells in Cumbria.

The team came home in 57th place, running a superb relay with Giles Hawking taking the lead leg.

Giles was supported by Tom Ratcliffe, Chris Roberts, Simon Collins and Neil Stabbs, while the final leg was raced by Harry Holmes.