RECORDS tumbled at one of the most stunning and difficult endurance events in the country.

The Lakes in a Day 50 mile Ultra Run is not for the feint hearted, but both the first placed man and woman took home £500 each after setting new fastest times.

Competitors start-out at Caldbeck before running towards Blencathra, through Threlkeld, along Helvellyn, down towards Ambleside, into Windermere, along the new cycle path towards Newby Bridge and across the Cumbrian Way before finally dropping down into Cartmel and finishing at the high school - a journey of more than 23 hours for some runners.

James Thurlow, Event Director, said: "I'd looked at the map for a number of years and thought it would be an amazing, cool journey from the outskirts of the Lakes down into Cartmel. It appealed to me because it's often chopped off maps and I like the idea of taking people through the heart of the Lake District. It's about showcasing the Lakes."

The race was won by Kim Collison, from Penrith, who finished in a time of nine hours and 12 minutes - more than an hour ahead of his nearest rival and the previous course record.

James speaks very highly of Collison's achievement, saying 'if he's not the fastest in the country at the moment then he's second fastest - he's done really well in international events'.

The fastest woman was Helen Leigh with a time of 11 hours and she also smashed the previous ladies record.

The second lady was Langdale's Sabrina Verjee while Kendal's Lucy Spain was third.

Feeding stations are located along the way in order to keep the athletes well nourished, and that is one element that distinguishes the Lakes in a Day event from others - pizza, hot sausage rolls and pasta are just some of the delights on offer.

But despite the food breaks it remains a monumental challenge involving more than 4,000 metres of ascent.

James said: "It's having that mental determination when it hurts. You need to have the stubbornness to keep going even when it hurts because quite often it gets better. Some people looked like they'd come out of a war zone! It's one of the toughest 50 mile events in the country."