SCOTT Harrington finished in an impressive second place at Nidd Valley in the final race of this year's Harrogate Summer League with a time of 31 minutes and 11 seconds.

In doing so, he secured third in the overall standings, just over a point behind league winner, Robert Little, of Ilkley Harriers.

There were also some fine runs in the various age categories for Otley. Phil Robinson rolled back the years and came first MV75 in 50.50, while Sara Elliott was second FV45 with a time of 43.32.

Graham Lake also performed well for his club, finishing 20th overall and sixth MV40 after crossing the line in 35.13. Ruth Poole (44.33) also ran a quick race.

Meanwhile, at the Nostell Priory 10-kilometre race, Mark Hall came fifth overall and was first V55 with a quick time of 37.19.

The Ingleborough Mountain Race, part of the Ingleton Gala, attracted 209 runners and Tom Lynch was joined by Laura McCabe and Vicky Stainburn.

The female duo are competing in AM qualifying races in preparation for Otley fielding a women’s super-team in next year's three peaks race.

Lynch and Stainburn had also both nominated the race as their wildcard race in the Fell Runner of the Year competition, so were hoping for a good time.

The 11-kilometre hill race proved tricky, with very rocky and steep terrain. It was an out and back, and on reaching the summit plateau, a climb of around 600 metres, runners loop round the trig point and head back the same way down.

Most of the race was in good visibility, but the top part of the climb was into the mist. The descent was more favourable though and Lynch picked up a least four or five places on the way down.

Apart from a couple of small climbs, it was almost unbroken descending to the gala field, with a very fast and steep finish, designed to catch out those with tired legs. Lynch finished 33rd in 59.38.

Stainburn was second lady at the summit but lost around 30 places on the technical descent, meaning she came fourth lady overall with a time of one hour, seven minutes and 23 seconds.

McCabe, who had been recovering from a cold, performed well to finish seventh lady in 1.09.26. Antonio Cardinale was the final Otley competitor, and he finished 209th overall in 1.59.58.

Finally, Colin Best took part in the Wallington 10k race. The start consisted of a 15-minute walk uphill from the finish, to the village of Cambo, before competitors had to tackle an unforgiving and lengthy peak of five kilometres.

Best put in a creditable performance, crossing the line 71st for Otley with a time of 53.17.