A NUMBER of South Lakeland fell runners emerged with medals as the curtain came down on a keenly-contested English championship season.

The last event in the six race series was at Great Whernside, near Kettlewell, on Saturday and saw Rossendale's Sam Tosh wrap up the senior men's title with a win in 29-25. He was followed home by Mercia's Simon Bailey (29-53) and Bowland's Chris Arthur (29-58).

Borrowdale's Mark Roberts (33-01), who lives in Kendal, turned in another solid performance to win the V55 race and finish 37th.

Helm Hill's Billy Procter made it a hat-trick of championship successes this year as he dug deep to win the V60 race which he had to do to take championship gold.

"I am absolutely chuffed to bits," said Billy, 61, who had already secured the British and BOFRA V60 championship titles. "Those V60s don't give you an inch. You have to go out and win. They are more competitive than in the younger age groups.

"If you went down in a bog they would stand on your head to get some extra purchase."

Ribble Valley's Katie Walshaw (36-19) won the ladies' race with two seconds to spare over her team mate Nicola Jackson (36-21) while Black Combe's Lizzie Browne (36-33) was not too far adrift in third.

Ambleside's Lou Roberts (37-13) placed fourth to secure the V40 title while Helm Hill's Hannah Russell (37-37) secured gold in the U23 championship with a fifth place finish.

Clayton's Wendy Dodds (49-30), who lives in Milnthorpe, topped off a good season by winning the V65 title and coming home in 64th position from a field of 86 starters.