SEVENTEEN seconds covered the first four home in the 11th race in the Kendal Winter League series which was run from Staveley-in-Cartmel on Sunday.

Helm Hill's Ben Procter emerged the winner, making his strength on the descent count and was followed by Keighley and Craven's Damien Scholes who beat the Addison - Shaun and Mike - brothers in a sprint for the line.

These four had shared the lead throughout the race after catching Hoad Hill's Chris Howie who had made the early running and at one stage built up a 40-metre lead on the chasing pack.

The rough terrain and heavy underfoot conditions made going difficult.

Helm Hill's Jennifer Dunn won the ladies race by a clear two minute margin over Wharfedale's Kate Rogan who held off Kendal's Helen Parsons in the run in.

The closest finish of the day was in the boys U17 event where Kendal's Carl Robinson pulled off a surprise beating Helm Hill's Andrew Wilkin by just two seconds.

Close finishes also came in the other boys' races with Mark Addison just managing to hold off his Helm Hill team mate Ryan Thorn-borrow in the U14 event and Cumberland Fell Runners' Jamie Stuart just having the edge over Settle's Liam Waite in the keenly contested U12 category.

Nine seconds separated Helm Hill team mates Janie Oates and Rosie Parkinson in the girls U14 race with CFR's Emma Stuart in third.

Meanwhile, Helm Hill's Jenny Addison won the girls U12 race in the absence of Gemma Crowther - who was competing in the London Marathon junior race - with CFR's Rosie Stuart second and Kirsty Chaplow third.