THE fell-running fraternity was rocked by Bingley Harrier John Taylor's premature death at the age of 33 last August and they turned out in strength at Haworth on Sunday to pay their respects.

Around 400 athletes, including 60 juniors, made an emotional farewell to the England Fell International in a race simply called John's Run.

Over 70 athletes from East Lancashire made the short journey across the border for a man who made a great impact in East Lancashire and West Yorkshire with victories at Great Hameldon Hill, Blackstone Edge and Stoodley Pike during the final months of his life.

The race started with his close friends and family leading out the runners over the first half mile.

At a slow jog they passed a lone piper who had been due to play at John's wedding to Kirsten, and John's brother Peter, who was waving the England flag.

That signalled the start of the race proper and it wasn't long before Ian Holmes made his presence felt.

Holmes has a reputation for being unbeatable on Penistone Hill, and he was to ensure that the Bingley club marked the event with an appropriate victory logging 39mins 42secs for the six miles.

With internationals littering the field, each position was hard won but Todmorden Harrier George Ehrhardt was on the pace finishing sixth in 41:52.

Clayton Harriers fielded 29 athletes with three earning top 30 finishes. Shane Fitzpatrick was 21st in 44:22, Ian Greenwood took third in the Over 40 class in 44:36, and Geoff Gough was 30th with 45:31.

Over 45s Katie Thompson and Steve Bury took class wins while Harry Catlow was first Over 70. Steve Clawson was the first Rossendale Harrier home in 31st place while Malc Christie, Neil Holding and Vinnie Brooks headed challenges from Chorley Harriers, West Pennine Runners and Darwen Dashers.

English Championship silver medallist Grant Cunliffe won the junior race outright for Rossendale Harriers. Grant won the Under 14 class while the Pendle pair Emma Thompson and Jade Hartley won the Girls Under 12 and Girls Under 14 categories.

The race raised very close to £3,000 for the John Taylor Foundation which was set up to help to screen the health of young athletes after John died of a previously undiagnosed heart condition.

You can find out more about the foundation on a special website www.johntaylorfoundation.org.uk