The first local runner home in Ripon Runners' 'alternative' jolly holly jog was Knavesmire Harriers' Mike McGrath in a time of 35 minutes and 39 seconds for 17th place.

The alternative in the race title was caused when the usual route through Studley Royal Park was deemed unavailable due to foot and mouth restrictions.

The subsequent re-routed shortened the event by approximately half a kilometre from its usual ten kilometres.

The overall winner, Alasdair Tatham (31-28), along with most of the leading athletes, came from the Darlington area, as did the ladies' winner, Alison Raw in 36-43, followed home by York Acorn's Dawn Gibbs (37-33), who was first in the ladies' 45/49 age group.

Knavesmire's Christine Shouksmith (38-38) finished fourth lady and third in the 40/44 section, while team-mate Margaret Metcalf won the 50/54 category.

New Year's Day saw Matthew Turner (Hull/Knavesmire) again performing well in the Cleethorpes ten-kilometres race.

Although just outside his recent personal best Turner finished seventh overall in a time of 34-05 behind his Hull compatriot Andy Swearman, whose time of 30-58 ensured he was the overall race winner.

Updated: 11:54 Tuesday, January 08, 2002