CRAIG Roberts has achieved his ambition to win the Hutton Roof race at last.

The Kendal AAC athlete, who has finished second on so many occasions in this race, was in the top 10 as the lead group crossed the summit of Hutton Roof.

As he descended the grassy slopes to the finish, he raced clear and could not hide his delight that nothing had gone wrong this time.

He finished in 48mins 29secs, leading home Darren Kaye, Horwich (49.24), a previous winner of the race.

The runners had set off at a blistering pace but strong winds meant that Mark Croasdale's record of 43mins 38secs was never in danger.

Hutton Roof looked splendid on a sunny bank holiday Saturday with a bumper turnout of 241 runners in the senior race.

Third home was Tom Addison, Helm Hill (50.00), and he looks a fine prospect to win this race in future.

Then came the Kendal duo of Danny Parkinson (50.38) and Paul Dugdale (50.40). Danny was happy to follow Paul over the unfamiliar tracks on the crag before sprinting for fourth place. Gary Thorpe, Ambleside, (51.32) made it three Vet 40s in the top 10.

Rebecca Robinson of Kendal AAC ran at a blistering pace to finish as the first lady home and 14th overall, though her time of 53.08 was outside Sarah Rowell's record.

Sally Newman, Calder Vale, was second in 57.57 with Jane Reedy, Ambleside, third in 58.23. Evelyn Dugdale, Kendal, (58.34) was fourth lady and also won the first LV40 prize, completing a successful day for the Dugdale household.

There were 25 runners in the junior races with Melanie Hyder winning the U16 Girls in 21.21 and Lucy Alderman Pendle winning the U14 Girls in 26.03 from Amy Ross Biggins (31.47) and Ella Hewson Barrow (31.58).

Hutton Roof Harrier Rosie Dale won the U12 Girls in 12.23 and also won the cup for the best local runner. Second was Chloe Halhead, Kendal, (12.58) and Amy Harrison, Settle, (14.55).

The U14 Boys' race was won by Chris Nash, Preston Harriers (20.34), from Sam Schofield, Hutton Roof Harriers (23.30), and Ken Orr Border Harriers (26.09).

The U12 Boys' race was won by Neil Orr, Border Harriers (11.19) from Thomas Taylor Kendal (11.33), with Campion Aaron, Settle, third (12.10) .

On a fun note, competitors came from far and wide including ten lads on a stag weekend from London. They stayed in Grasmere and made the groom drag a ball and chain around the course. Race organiser John Dickinson expressed his thanks to all competitors and spectators. All proceeds go to the Village Hall Fund.

Prizewinners: Senior men: 1 C Roberts, Kendal AAC, 48.29; 2 D Kaye, Horwich H, 49.24; 3 T Addison, Helm Hill, 50.00; 4 D Parkinson, Kendal AAC, 50.38; 5 P Dugdale, Kendal AAC, 50.40; Vet 40: 1 G Thorpe, Ambleside, 51 32; 2 I Greenwood, Clayton, 53.32; 3 Q Harding, Bowland, 54.27; Vet 50 K Taylor, Rossendale, 56.28; Vet 60 D Tait, Dark Peak, 61-02; Vet 70 J Garbarino Achilli Ratti 77.15; Teams 1 Kendal AAC C Roberts, D Parkinson, P Dugdale; 2 Ambleside G Thorpe, M Reedy , P Knowles.

Ladies: 1 R Robinson, Kendal, 53.08; 2 S Newman, Calder Vale 57.57; 3 J Reedy, Ambleside, 58.23; Vet 40 E Dugdale, Kendal, 58.34; Vet 50 W Dodds, Clayton, 65.00; Vet 60 J Atkins, Chorley 78.21; Teams Ambleside J. Reedy, D. Pelly, C Mackintosh.

Juniors: U12 Boys: 1 Neil Orr, Border, 11.19; 2 T Taylor, Kendal, 11.13; 3 C Aaron, Settle, 12.10; U12 Girls: 1 R Dale, Hutton Roof, 12.23; 2 C Halhead, Kendal, 12.58; U14 Boys 1 C Nash, Preston, 20.34; 2 S Schofield, Hutton Roof, 23.30; 3 K Orr, Border, 26.09; U14 Girls: 1 L Alderman, Pendle, 26.03; 2 A Ross, Biggins KL, 31.47; 3 E Hewson, Barrow; 31.58; U16 Girls: 1 M Hyder, Helm Hill, 21.21; Hutton Roof Cup R Dale Other Senior Men Results: 6 S Brooks, Bingley, 50.54; 7 M Amor, CFR, 51.15; 8 G Thorpe, Ambleside, 51.32; 9 M Reedy, Ambleside, 51.51; 10 J Stevens, Calder, 52.40; 11 M Peace, Bingley, 52.53; 12 M Addison Helm Hill 52.55; 13 M Chippendale, Bowland, 52.59; 14 R Robinson, Kendal AAC (first lady), 53.08; 15 I Greenwood, Clayton H, 53.32; 16 M McGoldrick, Wharfedale H, 53-56; 17 J Robinson, Bingley, 54.08; 18 P Knowles, Ambleside, 54.10; 19 Q Harding, Bowland, 54.27; 20 D Cramston, Ambleside, 54.54; 21 C Shuttleworth, Clayton H, 55.17; 22 A Staveley Burnded 55.30; 23 P Neild Bowland 56.08; 24 N Holding W Pennine R; 25 K Taylor, Rossendale H, 56.28.

Junior Fell Race: 1 N Orr, Border, H 11.19; T Taylor Kendal 11.33; 3 A Campion, Settle, H,12.10; 4 O Wiillink Helm Hill, 12.11; 5 R Dale 12.23, 6 J Campin 12.57; 7 C Halhead, Kendal 12.58; 8 S Willink, Helm Hill, 14.05; 9 J Gittins, Broughton R, 14.20; 10 D Miller, Broughton R, 14.40.