The 33rd running of the Hutton Roof Crags Fell Race welcomed 219 seniors and 85 juniors and memories of last year’s challenging thunderstorm during the senior race were trumped by warm and breezy weather with the recent dry spell providing superb racing.

Local running clubs were well represented with Mark Addison from Helm Hill coming home to win the men’s race in an excellent time of 49:56, the only person to break 50 minutes. The 27-year-old record of Mark Croasdale – 43,38 – still stands as the ambition, albeit it was a slightly shorter course.

The women’s title went to Dr Rebecca Robinson with a memorable return after a 10-year break from the race, crossing the line in 1:01:18’, respectably consistent with her 53:08 winning time in 2008.

Thirteen male and six female clubs completed the team competition with Helm Hill and Bowland taking the spoils respectively.

Virtually all veteran categories were represented through to evergreen V60 and V70s Billy Procter (Helm Hill) and Graham Jameson (Lancaster and Morecambe) taking the titles with Billy Procter’s 1:02:28 particularly spritely.

Younger runners were as keen as ever with competitors jostling for places at the starts and some tumbles as the racers got going. None of these had lasting effects and the runners were back to their feet straightaway to compete for places. A new longer course with the U13s joining the U15s race proved an equal match for the talented youngsters with James Brassington of Settle Harriers 1:30 clear of second place in a time of 13:56 for the 2.7km course. Bethan Saunders of Leven Valley AC took the girls’ U13 title in 15:29.

Under 15 boys honours went to Evan Allan of Howgill Harriers in 13:35, and Olesia Winder for the girls close behind in 14:35. Under 17s winners were Noah Kidd in 25:58 and Kaira Kullmann in 43:17, but the finish of the day went to Merlyn Gilldaley (unattached) and Ruby Frankland (Barbon Fellrunners) whose final sprint in the U19 race resulted in equal times of 34:58 being recorded with Merlyn given the win by a hair’s breadth.

The largest junior field was provided by the U9/U11 race with 52 runners in total toeing the line. Cooper Wadsworth, Annabel Hinds, Alfie Addison and Rose Gilldaley took the respective wins.