ROB LICKLEY was the first Thirsk & Sowerby Harrier home in the annual Loftus and Whitby Poultry Run.

Staged over an eight-mile course, conditions were testing as strong winds blasted the competitors.

Lickley finished 119th in 59 minutes and 20 seconds to head a Harriers’ contingent comprising Graham Robinson 132nd in 59.55, Marc Davies 203rd in 64.41, Gary Holmes 426th in 85.15, Hayley Holmes, 427th in 85.33, Ian Codling 439th in 91.11, Bev Davies 446th in 95.19 and Marian Codling 448th in 99.51.

There were 454 finishers in the popular event where dressed poultry constitutes the bulk of the prizes.

Harrier Steve Middleton enjoyed a solid run when finishing fifth in the 5k park run at Fountains Abbey, He clocked 18.35 ahead of fellow Harriers Martin Cummins 97th in 26.02, Jane Cummins 138th in 29.21 and Malcolm Aitken 184th out of 199 in 35.20.

At the Darlington park run event, Charlotte Knowles was 39th, and second woman finisher, in 21.20 with Louise Knowles 97th in 25.15.

Five Harriers were among the 78 finishers at the Eskdale Eureka Fell Race in cold and windy conditions with ice in places on the course.

Bryan Miller was 37th in 83.18 just in front of Marc Davies, 39th in 83.25, and followed by David Read 56th in 92.26, Hywel Smith 61st in 95.58 and Alan Wikeley 73rd in 108.46.