CAMERON Brooks (Knavesmire Harriers) won the opening York and District Road Race League of the season at Pocklington.

It was the first in a series of six 10km road races restricted to members of eight clubs - Easingwold Running Club (ERC), Knavesmire Harriers (KH), Pocklington Runners (PR), Selby Striders (SS), Tadcaster Harriers (TH), Wigginton AC (W), York Acorn (YA) and York Postal (YP).

With new sponsors Sweatshop in place, the series got off to a good start with nearly 200 finishers on a cool blustery evening. Based at Pocklington Rugby Union Club and over a fairly hilly course, the race was won by Brooks in a time of 33 minutes 53 seconds, from Nigel Holden (SS) 34-39 and Ian Anderson (KH) 34-49.

The men's team race was a close contest with York Acorn 'A' (56 points) finishing just two points ahead of Knavesmire Harriers 'A' (58 points).

Leading men from the competing clubs were: 1 Cameron Brooks (KH), 2 Nigel Holden (SS), 4 Bob Duncan (YA), 7 Michael Siddall, 11 Mark Scoreby, 15 Glen Johnson, 17 Nigel Ramsden (ERC) and 57 Dean Smith.

The veteran category winners were: 0/40 1 Nigel Holden (SS), 2 Bob Duncan (YA), 3 Michael Siddall (PR). O/50 1 Simon Richardson (PR), 2 Mike McGrath (KH), 3 James Shemilt (YA). O/60 1 Malcolm Fawcett (KH), 2 John Stokes (SS), 3 Graeme Adams (KH).

The women's race was won by Lisa Guscott-Trout (KH) in 20th place overall in a time of 38 mins 32 secs followed home by Dawn Gibbs (YA) 40-21 (38th overall) and in third place Rebecca Weekes (KH) 40-30 (41st overall).

Leading ladies' team members were: 1 Lisa Guscott-Trout (KH), 2 Dawn Gibbs (YA), 4 Christine Jeannette, 9 Tracy Harrison (ERC), 12 Emma Allitt (SS), 13 Deborah Dennison (TH), 14 Carol Dixon (YP) and J19 ayne Chapman (W).

The ladies' team race was a reversal of the men's. Knavesmire Ladies 'A' won with 18 points from York Acorn 'A' (25 points) and Tadcaster Harriers 'A' (77 points).

The ladies' category winners were: O/35 1 Christine Jeannette (PR), 2 Kate Wiggins (KH), 3 Ola Balme (KH). O/45 1 Dawn Gibbs (YA), 2 Pat Boden (KH), 3 Shirley Colquhoun (TH). O/55 1 Sheila Latto (KH), 2 Jean Snelling (KH).

The next race in the series is being held tonight at Tadcaster with a 7.30pm start.

Yorkshire's men finished sixth in the Inter Counties Athletics Championships at Bedford yesterday.

The competition was won by Essex.

Martyn Bernard (Sheffield) won the high jump for Yorkshire with a leap of 2.15 metres.

There was disappointment for veteran Leeds City thrower Mick Hill, who was second in the javelin behind Mark Robertson.

In the women's events, Yorkshire finished eighth behind runaway winners Surrey.

Updated: 10:39 Tuesday, May 27, 2003