Running: Jebb has triumphant return from injury at Wansfell (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Running: Jebb has triumphant return from injury at Wansfell

10:50am Wednesday 4th January 2012 in Sport By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

RECORD turnout of 154 runners took part in the post-Christmas dash up Wansfell as Rob Jebb made a victorious return to the fells.

In some unseasonably mild weather Jebb, from Staveley, returned for the 2.5 mile race up and down the 1,500ft peak after dislocating his shoulder in July.

But it wasn't all plain sailing as he had Helm Hill's Mark Addison hot on his heels, closely followed by top Borrowdale runner Phil Davies and an in-form Kim Collison of Eden Runners.

An impressive climb from Sarah McCormack of Moorfoot Runners saw her turn at the summit in tenth place.

Jebb held on for first place though in 19.59 to set a new record, taking just more than a minute off Kenny Stuart’s 1984 record. A great descent from Collison saw him finish second in 20.35 with Addison a close third in 20.40.

In the ladies race McCormack was unchallenged on the descent, finishing in a time of 23.57. A close battle for second saw Lindsey Brindle of Horwich (25.34) edge out local lady Hazel Robinson of Ambleside AC (25-53).

Results: Men: 1 R Jebb (Bingley) 19.59, 2 K Collinson (Eden) 20.35, 3 M Addison (Helm Hill) 20.40; Women: 1 S McCormack (Moorfoot) 23.57, 2 L Brindle (Horwich) 25.34, 3 H Robinson (Ambleside) 25.53.

* HOWGILL Harrier Carl Bell became the first local man to win the Nine Standards Race at Kirkby Stephen on New Year’s Day.

Bell, from Brough, rounded the eight mile course, which climbs to 1,800ft, in 52.57 as the race entered its 24th year.

A total of 109 competitors took to the fells, representing the best turnout for ten years and there was a dead heat in the women’s race as a new record was set.

Pippa Maddams from Keswick and Todmorden Harrier Lauren Jeska could not be split at the line and they shared a £50 prize for breaking the course record by four minutes as they finished in 1.00.55.

Kim Collison from Eden was second behind Bell, almost two minutes clear of Keswick’s Russell Maddams, while Debbie Campbell from Horwich was third in the women’s race.