Lions produce personal best times in championship race

The event offered 10-mile and five-mile options and in the longer distance championship race, Danny Stafford led the Lions home with a superb course personal best of 1:12:49, taking seven minutes, 36 seconds off his previous best.

There were more personal bests for Becky Hill, who continued her excellent season by knocking six minutes, 19 seconds off her course best to finish in 1:41:20. Meanwhile, Sandra Pinder produced one of the biggest improvements of the day, taking a remarkable 12 minutes, two seconds off her previous course best to finish in 1:57:41.

There was also an age-category podium finish for Helen Armitage, who claimed third FV60 in 1:24:09.

Lions results (10 mile): Danny Stafford (1:12:49), James Penson (1:18:07), Dan Marsden (1:18:40), Paul Corns (1:18:47), Clayton Cutter (1:21:29), Steve Hallam (1:21:30), Helen Armitage – 3rd F60 (1:24:09), Amjid Khan (1:24:43), Martin O’Brien (1:26:55), Michelle Rogerson (1:27:06), Yvonne Morton (1:29:20), Dom Ranson (1:30:07), Cat Daniel (1:31:34), Liz Norman (1:33:38), Robert Saunders (1:35:19), Diane Waite (1:37:22), Joanne Cooke (1:38:39), Becky Hill (1:41:20), Zoe Russell (1:44:27), Adam Morton (1:46:43), Sandra Pinder (1:57:41), Margaret Conway (1:57:57).

In the five-mile race, David Waite (47:32), Caroline Ford (51:11) and Carol Whitworth (1:01:26) flew the Lions’ flag with strong performances over the shorter distance.

The fifth race of the YVAA Grand Prix Series took place at South Leeds Lakers, with an excellent Lion turnout in a field of 220 runners.

Gavin Mulholland stormed to first overall and first MV50 in 31:56. Close behind was Gavin Foster, who finished fourth overall and first MV35 in 33:24, and Margaret Beever was the first Lioness home, finishing 22nd overall, second female and first FV45 in 36:12.

There were more age-category successes from Helen Hudson (1st FV55) and Helen Armitage (2nd FV60).

After five rounds the men’s team are second in all three categories (first four to count, rest to count and all to count), while the women’s team are third in first four to count, and fifth in the remaining two categories.

Lions results: Gavin Mulholland (31:56), Gavin Foster (33:24), Margaret Beever (36:12), Andy Baird (40:07), Dom Ranson (44:41), Steve Hallam (44:52), Helen Hudson (45:40), Helen Armitage (47:51), Liz Norman (48:20), Maria Harron (50:47), Jonathan Taylor (51:33), Mark Preston (52:37), Paula Pickersgill (53:42), Sandy Gee (56:50), Paul Butterfield (57:06), Adam Morton (59:27).

Lindsay Upton produced a sensational run in the Saltaire Rock Up ‘n’ Run 5k, finishing third overall and first female after smashing the 20-minute barrier for the first time with 19:38.