A RECORD breaking number of runners took part in the Great Langdale 10k Christmas Pudding Run on Saturday.

Last year 475 runners took part but this year 624 competitors lined up at the start.

"The day went really well, we had 600+ runners which was record breaking for us," said one of the organisers Stacy Worrall. "The weather was fine, the rain literally started as we were packing away. There are obviously things we need to improve on if we intend on having 600+ runners in the future but all in all it was great."

The race was won by Windermere's Sarah McCormack.

The 28-year-old, who grew up in Michigan, USA, finished in a time of 33:46, ten seconds ahead of David Hamilton, of Southport Waterloo, in what was her first ever attempt at the run.

"I set off among the group and then broke away with another man," she said. "We ran shoulder to shoulder until about 7k when he eased off. I maintained my speed and could hear him behind me all the way.

"I am really happy. I have been focussed on training this Autumn so it is nice to see some success."

The next female home was Ambleside Athletic Club's Annie Conway, who finished ninth overall in a time of 36:06.

Paul Tierney, of Ambleside, was second male home in a time of 34:13.