THIRSK & Sowerby Harriers fielded a strong relay team at Thirsk Flatts for the opening fixture for the North Yorkshire South Durham Cross Country season.

The Harriers' first ladies team of Charlotte Sanderson (13 minutes 57 seconds), Charlotte Wilton (16-00) and Becky Burgess (16-53) finishing in sixth place.

In 12th place were Christine Burn (20-12), Danielle Donohue (18-06) and Helen Ashworth (17-55).

Charlotte Knowles (15-56) and Amy Knowles (18-40) were also a part team.

In the men's event, the team of Daniel Holdsworth (12-18), Greg MacDonald (12-59), Stephan Tomaszewski (13-44) and Cameron Choules (12-55) were seventh.

David Fawkes (15-03), Andy Butcher (16-29), Graham Robinson (15-13) and Rob Burn (14-18) joined forced to finish 19th, while the team of Bryan Miller (14-28), Stuart Waters (16-28), Martin Cummins (17-17) and Duncan Fothergill (16-59) were 21st.

In a part team, Martyn Coy took 15-32 and Peter Greenslade, in his first ever race, clocked 23-15.

The Viking Chase Fell Race, a fundraising event for Cleveland Mountain Rescue, attracted 76 entrants, with Thirsk's Lorraine Hiles finishing 40th, and first in the F50 category, in 86-26.

Hilary Coventry was 59th in 92-26.