OXENHOPE'S Matthew Merrick was among the age-group winners at the ever-popular Daleside Auld Lang Syne Fell Race on Haworth Moor.

The Bingley Harrier was the first under-18 in the Woodentops-organised event, his time of 46min 22 secs placing him 14th overall in the 9.6km run featuring 300 metres of climb.

A total of 403 runners from the local area and from further afield - many of them in fancy dress - finished the course from Penistone Hill Country Park.

Olympic triathlon champion Alistair Brownlee and his silver-medal winning brother Jonny - both previous winners of the event - were on the entry list but opted not to race. Alistair admitted there were 'not enough miles in the legs', while Jonny was recovering from his victory in Boxing Day's Chevin Chase run.

Horwich RMI Harrier Chris Farrell, fresh from finishing second at the Ribble Valley 10k where he just dipped under 30 minutes, celebrated by winning the race for the second consecutive year.

He came first in 41.37, finishing nearly a minute clear of Clayton le Moors' Chris Holdsworth with Helm Hill's Chris Addison in third.

Nick Leigh, also from Horwich, claimed first veteran in fifth spot as his club won the men's team prize.

Katie Walshaw won the ladies race for the second successive year and the third time overall.

The Holmfirth runner clocked 48.12 and was pushed hard by fell-running newcomer Louisa Powell Smith, of Clayton Le Moors, who finished 35 seconds behind and is one to watch for 2017.

David Driver was first Wharfedale Harrier back in 19th place (47.00) while Ian Willis was top Keighley & Craven Athletics Club runner in 40th (50.28).