A PRIMARY school is celebrating a runaway success.

Pupils from Kildwick CE Primary shone in the Keighley and Craven Schools cross-country league.

Four race meetings took place during the season – three in the grounds of Cliffe Castle, Keighley, and the final encounter at Silsden Park.

Across the four events, Kildwick had more than 50 runners – nearly half the total school pupil roll – take part.

In the competition for year five and six girls, Kildwick captured the top three spots at each event. It was the year groups' overall winner, girls and boys.

And the school was runner-up overall in the year three and four contest, for girls and boys.

Headteacher Tim Whitehead said the school was proud of the pupils' achievements.

"The children have been faced with all weather conditions and we are absolutely delighted with the resilience and determination they have shown," he added.

During the year, the cross-country team has also competed at South Craven School in Cross Hills, at Giggleswick and at North Yorkshire finals in Dalby Forest.

Training takes place weekly, led by teacher and sports enthusiast Clare Smurthwaite.

"It is mostly on the surrounding hills around Farnhill Moor," said Mr Whitehead.

"A lot of the pupils are members of nearby clubs, Wharfedale Harriers and Keighley and Craven Athletics Club."

More than a dozen primary schools and around nine secondaries competed in the Keighley and Craven Schools league.

Winners were:

Boys, Year 3-4 – 1 East Morton, 2 Kildwick, 3 Hothfield; Year 5-6 – 1 Kildwick, 2 Oxenhope, 3 Oakworth; Year 7-8 – 1 Upper Wharfedale, 2 Ilkley Grammar, 3 South Craven; Year 9-10 – 1 Ilkley Grammar, 2 Queensbury, 3 Bingley Grammar; Year 11-13 – 1 Bradford Grammar, 2 Ermysted's and Ilkley Grammar.

Girls, Year 3-4 – 1 Bradley Both, 2 Kildwick, 3 Hothfield; Year 5-6 – 1 Kildwick, 2 Hothfield, 3 Haworth; Year 7-8 – 1 Skipton Girls, 2 Ilkley Grammar, 3 Bradford Grammar; Year 9-10 – 1 Ilkley Grammar, 2 Upper Wharfedale, 3 Skipton Girls.

For the full results, visit keighleyschoolsxc.wordpress.com.

* Photos by Woodentops