THE 20th Lakeland Lanesquest Series is up and running with nearly 140 competitors taking part in the first of six events.

On a bright but very breezy evening, competitors set off from the Wheatsheaf Inn, Brigsteer to tackle a complex and head- scratching route devised by International Orienteer Carol McNeill - with all profits from the event going to Oxen Park Cinema Club.

A total of 30 control points, mainly sited on fingerposts were spread acros the area encompassing Underbarrow, Natland, Heversham, Sizergh and Barrows Green.

With last year's overall series men's winner, Trevor Smith, and third placed Anthony Emmett non starting, it was left to Tom Gibbs, the 2013 men's champion to take a narrow win from David Heffernan who was seeking to improve on last year when he finished runner up to Smith by the narrowest of margins.

Both Gibbs and Heffernan visited 29 controls, with Gibbs choosing a clockwise route that started with the steep climb of Brigsteer Hill, arriving back one minute late; while Heffernan chose to run anti clockwise, arriving back three minutes late and hence incurring six penalty points to Gibbs' two.

With Gibbs, Heffernan and third placed Sam Clifford separated by only eight points, the first place in the solo women's class saw a similarly close fought battle between 2014 champion Helen Jackson and Jo Cleary in second place, with both ladies scoring very competitively against the solo men on 260 and 250 points respectively.

The next event is on June 16 at Britannia Inn, Elterwater LA22 9HP with proceeds going to the Mountain Bothies Association.

Results

Men's Solo:

1 Tom Gibbs 288, 2 David Heffernan 284, 3 Sam Clifford 280.

Women's Solo:

1 Helen Jackson 260, 2 Jo Cleary 250

Juniors:

1 Hannah Cleary-Hughes

Generation Pairs:

1 Paul and Jim O'Reilly 220, 2 Derek and Stewart Allison190

Adult Pairs/3s:

1= Bruce Attwood and Sally Ward, 1= Rachel and Mike Toyn

Full results and detailed report on

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/event/lakeland-lanequest/