THE biggest field for eight years assembled in Little Langdale for the Three Shires Fell Race which produced a surprise winner in Pudsey and Bramley's Steve Bottomley.

Bottomley won the 12-mile (4,800ft of climbing) race that takes in Wetherlam, Pike' O Blisco and Lingmoor in 1-56-29 after easing away from the chasers in the latter stages. He was just under a minute ahead of Borrowdale's Andrew Schofield who has been trying to win the event for most years since 1990.

Dark Peak's Alan Ward returned for a fine third place and veteran victory after coming second in 2002 and he was well clear of Ambleside's Simon Stainer who was fourth.

Another Dark Peak athlete, Karen Davison (30th in 2-17-24), won the women's race from WV40 Kate Beatty of CFR while Clayton's Vanessa Peacock, who set a ladies' record of 2-12-57 in 1986, was first WV50.

RESULTS (first 170): 1 S Bottomley, Pudsey & Bramley, 1-56-29; 2 A Schofield, Borrowdale, 1-57-22; 3 A Ward, Dark Peak, 1-57-39; 5 G Devine, Pudsey & Bramley, 2-02-35; 6 K Gray, Calder Valley, 2-02-54; 7 J Deegan, Ambleside, 2-04-19; 8 D Duxbury, Ambleside, 2-05-49; 9 Q Harding, Bowland, 2-06-21; 10 P Vale, Mercia, 2-07-12; 16 T Smith, Ambleside, 2-12-32; 24 A Pilkington, Settle, 2-15-17; 33 J Murfin, Settle, 2-18-16; 35 M Beresford, Kendal, 2-18-50; 38 N Ashcroft, Ambleside, 2-19-36; 46 N Pike, Hoad Hill, 2-22-06; 62 J Osborne, Settle, 2-24-55; 65 H Jones, Dallam, 2-26-04; 72 I Atkinson, Helm Hill, 2-28-04; 75 B Kennedy, Settle, 2-28-54; 77 S Milligan, Helm Hill, 2-29-35; 79 R Cannon, Helm Hill, 2-31-04; 81 R Jerram, Kendal, 2-31-38; 83 A Hinde, Settle, 2-32-10; 86 M Berry, Black Combe, 2-32-35; 92 M Wynne, Settle, 2-34-23; 97 P Blanshard, Eden, 2-35-28; 103 P Simpson, Kendal, 2-36-00; 107 O Fielden, Helm Hill, 2-36-11; 111 D Aspden, Dallam, 2-37-18; 131 K Rutherford, Black Combe, 2-43-16; 141 D Till, Helm Hill, 2-45-18; 151 T Murray, Helm Hill, 2-46-45; 152 J Parminter, Black Combe, 2-46-47; 157 J Leech, Dallam, 2-47-53; 161 C Sibbald, Black Combe, 2-49-29.