ALICE Jones and Sam Smith struck gold as the young athletes from Wharfedale Harriers proved yet again they are a force to be reckoned with at the Yorkshire County Cross Country Championship.

There were also some impressive displays from Keighley & Craven Athletics Club youngsters, which saw them claim three team podium spots.

The picturesque setting of Lightwater Valley Theme Park was the scene for some thrilling racing in perfect conditions.

The ground was firm and relatively dry in comparison to last year’s total quagmire, with the temperature also much warmer than 12 months ago.

In the under-13 girls’ race, Wharfedale’s Jones, from Lothersdale, gained herself a county title and gold medal to accompany it.

However, in contrast to previous races this season, she didn’t have it all her own way.

Alice had to run hard against stiff competition from Hallamshire Harriers’ Ruby Simpson, only shaking her off on the home straight where a sprint finish saw her clinch victory by four seconds.

The under-13 boys’ race was also a nail-biter from start to finish. For the first half the battle was on between Wharfedale’s Sam Smith, from Silsden, Bingley Harriers’ Alex Flaherty and Hallamshire’s Jed Darley.

However, during the uphill section in the second half of the race Smith and Flaherty pulled away but Smith had the edge and opened up his lead to finish five seconds clear and claim the county title.

Both Sam and Alice will now represent Yorkshire at the Inter-Counties race at Loughborough in March.

In the men’s race, Wharfedale’s James Hall managed a respectable fifth place from a field of 287, meaning he will also be selected to represent the white rose county.

Along with Hall, the Wharfedale men’s team included Lee Athersmith, Ted Mason, Sam Watson, Christian Holmes and Rob Furness. They finished an impressive fourth from 31 teams, with many representing much larger clubs.

Meanwhile, Keighley & Craven under-13 girls claimed team silver and there were bronzes for the under-13 and under-15 boys.

Lilli Carr, Harvey Lewis, Louis Hudson and Joe Hudson all claimed top eight finishes which should earn them qualification for Yorkshire.

Keighley & Craven's Eleanor Robinson came third in the junior women, while club-mate Helen Glover came ninth in the seniors behind Zara Knappy, from Oakworth, who was fifth running in Rotherham Harriers colours.