THE original Lake District Mountain Marathon is taking place in the Howgills over the weekend of October 27 and 28.

More than 2,500 competitors are expected for the race with Sedbergh School the headquarters for the event.

Marshalls are needed to help assist with the running of the race so anybody wishing to volunteer can call Jen Longbottom on 01706 216612 or email jlongo491@aol.com.

Competitors can register tomorrow (Friday) and Saturday.

Meanwhile Ambleside’s Ben Abdelnoor won the Langdale Horseshoe Fell Race for the second time in a race which saw a minute’s silence for Darren Holloway, the Nottinghamshire fell runner who tragically died in the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay from Patterdale a week last Sunday.

The same mark of respect took place at the British Fell Relay Championships in Shropshire which saw Carl Bell from Howgill Harriers win the first of four legs.

He put his club 25 seconds in the lead with Borrowdale’s Mark Roberts in fourth and Joss Addison from Helm Hill 17th and Ambleside’s Paul Knowles 25th.

Team winners were Mercia Fell Runners, with Hunter’s Bog Trotters first of the women.

Morgan Donnelly did his best to close the gap on Mercia’s Simon Bailey but he failed by a 30-second margin.