PERFECT conditions and the desire to live up to the example set by his elder brother last year kept Johnny Campbell going for gold in Sedbergh School’s 132nd Wilson Run.

17-year-old Campbell (SH) came in with a time of 1.11.43 and triumphed ahead of second-placed George Porter (SH) (1.15.27) and Josef Westgarth (SH) (1.16.27).

Charlie Neate (L), who took gold for the girls, came 18th with a time of 1.30.17. She was ahead of Emily MacMillan (R) (1.36.35) and Phoebe Whatoff (R) (1.42.48).

In total 138 pupils aged 16 to 18 qualified for the school’s historic annual fell race and this year, the 1945 winner Tim Pick was there to fire the starting gun.

Headmaster Andrew Fleck said: “It has been a great day for the families and runners and, as ever, we have had tremendous support from the community and school. We are enormously grateful to farmers who let us run all over their land and I am delighted for John and Charlie, for their wins in such good times.”

Campbell, who hails from Lincolnshire, said: “The whole thing didn’t seem real. It was like a dream and, looking back, it went really quickly. It was the best thing in the world, the best thing I have ever done.

"I felt I had to live up to something with my older brother Archie winning last year - I called him in New Zealand at lunchtime; the middle of the night there. Running down the final stretch was just amazing – the support is incredible. I still have another year to run the Wilson and to anyone attempting it for the first time next year I would simply say train hard – it’s totally worth it.”

Neate, 16, from Bagshot, said: “It’s an amazing feeling; a dream come true. The support of the whole school pushed me to achieve something I had worked so hard for. I am so proud to be able to share this honour with Johnny Campbell, a great friend."

Bella Campbell, Johnny’s mum, said: “To have two Wilson Run winners in the family, and in consecutive years, well it’s hard to believe. I’m so proud of them. We just left it up to Johnny and didn’t see him before the run. He hadn’t done any fell running before starting at Sedbergh – you can’t in Lincolnshire. Ever since he came, and saw the Wilson Run two years ago, he has wanted to run in it. He’s found something he really loves doing.”

MacMillan, 16, from Glasgow, who came in second for the ladies’, said: “I was very nervous but just kept going. I was so excited. Running is my main sport and I knew I was doing well once I got to Danny Bridge. The support all along the course, and then the crowds of supporters in the town, is incredible. It really keeps you going.”

The current record is held by Charles Sykes -1.08.04 set in 1993. The women’s record is held by Melanie Hyder - 1.24.07 set in 2011.