Dave and Eileen Woodhead's fell races around the Haworth area of West Yorkshire continue to buck the recent trend of gently declining fields, proving that if you put on well organised races people will support them.

The Stoop is a great example, with another record field of 298 coming just a year after the course had to be changed to accommodate the extra runners.

The junior races attracted a further 65 youngsters.

In keeping with the size of the field, the competition was extremely stiff with both of the joint English Champions Rob Hope and Simon Bailey in action.

On a cold and icy day on Penistone Hill it was Salford's Andi Jones who emerged from the pack to win the five miler in 28:52 ahead of Bailey with Ian Holmes third.

Jones recently missed the Commonwealth Games selection time for the marathon by a mere eight seconds while Bingley's Holmes, a ten time winner of this race, was the leading veteran in his first race as an over 40.

Our first local, Rob Hope from Wheelton, was thwarted in his bid for a fifth straight win, having to settle for fourth in 30:12.

Jon Wright and Alex Whittem in eighth and tenth were the first Todmorden Harriers ahead of Wharfedale duo Mark Horrocks and Andy Black 12th and 13th, and Tim Edward of Clayton who took 14th.

Thornton Taylor, Dave Naughton and Neil Holding were the first counters for their respective clubs, Rossendale Harriers, Darwen Dashers and West Pennine Runners.

Shane Russell was fourth under 18 as at the end of the age scale, Rossendale team mate Ken Taylor placed second over 50 behind English Champion Steve Jackson who set a course record.

Clayton's Peter Butterworth, better known as a road specialist, was third in the same class.

Chorley Harrier Dawn Atkins was third in the women's race behind Chesterfield policewoman Wendy Barnes while Dawn's mum Jan was first over 60.

There were successes for East Lancashire in the junior races with Hyndburn's Kyle Biddle and Thomas Wilson of Pendle first and second in the under 16s.

Lucy Alderman of Pendle was the under 10 girls winner and Sarah Wilson, also Pendle, was second in the under 14s.

l Next race from the Woodheads is the Auld Lang Syne on New Year's Eve where the course has been changed because a field of 500 is anticipated.

With a bottle of specially brewed beer to all the finishers there will be no junior races at this one.