A THREE-way duel for the Hawkshead Trail Race honours was foought out on Saturday.

GB Internationals Gary Priestley (Horwich RMI Harriers), Phil Winskill (Keswick AC) and Japan’s Yujiro Iida swapped the lead between them throughout.

Early leader Phil Winskill was dropped around half way, and the battle for victory began with the tiny Japanese athlete Iida, running in his first UK trail race, neck and neck with Priestley.

Torrential rain made underfoot conditions treacherous in places and Priestley took advantage of his international mountain running experience to win by just 20 seconds from Iida in 66.04. Winskill made the podium in third in a time of 77.14 GB Marathon international Susan Partridge (Leeds City AC), in her first race since breaking her personal-best in the London Marathon, where she ran 2hrs 34 minutes, had to settle for runner-up behind in-form Pauline Munro (Bingley Harriers).

Junior International mountain runner Mel Hyder from the local Helm Hill Runners, produced a fantastic performance to make the podium in 3rd place in 83.39.

Over 1,000 runners from all over the UK finished the various events on the day.

Boom Dang Samba Dumming Band provided live entertainmen with singer Pete Lashley performing at the prizegiving.

Jackie Newton, from event sponsors PUMA,presented over £1000 worth of prizes.

The event was supporting the local Coniston Mountain Rescue, along with the regional charities Cancer Care and North West Air Ambulance.

The next event in the Lakeland Trails series is on June 4 at Staveley with only a few places still available.

Further details and full results are available from the event website www.lakelandtrails.org Results: Hawkshead Trail Race 16km - Men: 1, Gary Priestley, Horwich RMI H 66.04; 2, Yujiro Iida, Japan 66.27; 3, Phil Winskill, Keswick AC 67.14; 4, Martin Roscoe, Leeds City AC 67.58 (1st V40); 5, Adam Lloyd, Bromsgrove, W Midlands 71.04 Vet 40: 2, Steven Bennan, Glaxo Hoad Hill H 71.35; 3, Chris Gibbins, Harrogate 73.25; Vet 50: 1, Alan Metcalfe, Preston Harriers 77.43.

Vet 60:1, Tony Hesketh, Horwich RMI Harriers 89. 23. Vet 70: 1, Lawrie Woodley, Tattenhall Runners 122.13.

Women: 1. Pauline Munro, Bingley Harriers 79.09 (1st V40), 2. Susan Partridge, Leeds City AC 82.30; 3, Mel Hyder, Helm Hill Runners 83.39; 4. Angela Armstrong, Carlisle Tri Club 85.31; 5. Christine Holmes, Trentham RC 85.37. Vet 50: 1, Annette Brown, Bridlington 07.43; Vet 60: 1, Brenda Robinson, Rochdale Harriers 143.05; Vet 70: 1. Charm Robson, St Bees Triers 135.16.