A RECORD number of runners in the senior fell race was the highlight of the day at a packed 163rd meeting of Grasmere Sports.

Around 5,000 spectators filed into the Stock Lane field and were treated to a day of action-packed sports and a high-flying mock mountainside rescue.

Chairman Hal Bagot described the day as ‘superb from beginning to end’ and was particularly pleased with the number of children taking part.

As well as a host of lung-busting fell races, visitors enjoyed a display from the Cheshire Dog Team, Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling and a performance from the Adamson Band.

But it was the sight of 195 men and women charging up the 295 metre Butter Crag in the Senior Guides Race that stole the show.

The star-studded line up included eight times winner Rob Jebb, last year’s champion Rob Hope and the current English fell running champion Simon Bailey.

The record of 12:21, set by Fred Reeves in 1978, was not broken but it was Jebb, who led all the way and stormed home to finish in 13:07.

Youngster Sam Tosh and Bailey ran each other close for second but it was Rossendale’s Tosh who edged home.

Jebb, who lives at Staveley but runs for Bingley Harriers, now stands just two wins behind equalling the leading all-time record holder Bill Teasdale, who won the prestigious race 11 times.

“It was very hard,” said Jebb, 38. “I know I am not the best descender so it was important I got as much as a lead as I could at the start.

“It was quite hot but the descent was nice and dry which makes a change from the slippy mud we are used to.”

Elsewhere, 15-year-old Chris Richards, who runs for Helm Hill, won the u17 fell race after returning home early from a holiday in Guatemala, Central America, to compete.

The Kirkbie Kendal student won the race in 10:46 to add to his victory at Ambleside Sports earlier this year.

And in the same race, Hannah Newbold, 15, of Ingleton, was the first girl home after storming past Sally Handford in the final 20 metres, sending the watching crowd into rapturous applause.

James Bowen, of Ambleside, took 39 seconds off the U9 fell race record as he won in 4:20.

The 13 stones Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling event was a family affair for the Brocklebank family of Warton. The winner was Graham, who defeated his younger brother, Ben, in two straight falls in the final. Their father, Harry, was a Grasmere winner as was their grandfather, Wilf.

A flyover of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Dakota was cancelled last-minute but that did not stop a jubilant Mr Bagot declaring the day a success. “We have had terrific weather, a terrific crowd and the Sea King demonstration was spectacular.

“The car park was packed; everywhere was packed. It has been an absolutely fantastic day.

“The numbers are up on last year which is very pleasing, hopefully we have given everyone a lot of pleasure.”

RESULTS

Senior Guides Race

1. Rob Jebb 2. Sam Tosh, 3 Simon Bailey.

Sprint

5-6yrs, Boys: 1 Matt Lannaghan; 2 Ronan Maher; 3 Cal McVey. Girls: 1 Anouska Wedrychowski; 2 Lucy Devine; 3 Lois Newton. 7-8yrs, Boys: 1 James Bowen; 2 Harry Bowen; 3 Tom Allport. Girls: 1 Tilly Gray; 2 Rosie Lawler; 3 Ciara Samson. 9-10yrs, Boys: Ben Redshaw; 2 Will Atkinson; 3 James Thornley. Girls: 1 Amy Garrach; 2 Clara Davies; 3 Ella Beardwood.

800m Track

Under 17yrs, Boys: 1 Will Atkinson; 2 Harry Muir; 3 Joseph Thompson; Girls: 1 Katie Atkinson; 2 Olesia Winder; 3 Harriet Thompson. Men: 1 C Dillan; 2 R Goulsbra; 3 Nathanial Woof. Ladies: 1 M McRoberts; 2 M Bryne.

200m Track.

Under 17yrs Boys: 1 Jach Muir; 2 Will Atkinson; 3 George Muir. Girls: 1 Katie Atkinson; 2 Amy Garrach; 3 Kirsty Marr. Guides. Under 9yrs, Boys: 1 James Bowen (new record); 2 Harry Bowen; 3 Rufus Hornyold-Strickland. Girls: 1 Maddie Walsh; 2 Kirsty Maher; 3 Olesia Winder. Under 12yrs, Boys: 1 Thomas Marshall; 2 Lucas Parker; 3 Ciaren Crabtree. Girls: 1 Katie Atkinson; 2 Mai Walsh; 3 Emelia Stevens. Under 14yrs, Boys: 1 Thomas Nelson; 2 Joseph Ford; 3 Charlie Lowrie. Girls: 1 Esme Davies; 2 Bella Reed; 3 Frances Bell. Under 17yrs, Boys: 1 Chris Richards; 2 Oscar Meanwell; 3 Harry Muir. Girls: 1 Hannah Newbold; 2 Sally Handford; 3 Georgia Stevens. Seniors, Men: 1 R Jebb; 2 S Tosh; 3 S Bailey. Ladies: 1 P Maddans; 2 M Price; 3 J Reedy.

Cumberland & Westmorland Wrestling

Under 12yrs, Boys & Girls: 1 Harold Wilson; 2 Gemma Coulthard; 3 Mark Wharton. Under 15yrs, Boys: 1 Thomas Gibson; 2 Josh Threlfall; 3 George Wilson. Girls: 1 Abi Marston; 2 Roaxanne Hodgson; 3 Daisy Wilson. Under 18yrs, Boys: 1 James Hayhurst; 2 Kieran Millar; 3 Clement Prior. Girls: 1 Connie Hodgson; 2 Daisy Wilson; 3 Megan Gibson. 8 Stone, Boys: 1 Michael Kirkham; 2 Harry Burtram; 3 Alfie Storey. 10 Stone, Ladies: 1 Hannah Hodgson; 2 Ann Elle; 3 Daisy Wilson. Men - 11 Stone: 1 J Brown; 2 Aud Carlisle; 3 K Miller; 12 Stone: 1 Jack Brown; 2 John Harrington; 3 And. Carlisle. 13 Stone: 1 G Brocklebank; 2 B Brocklebank; 3 A Walton. 14 Stone: 1 R Fox; 2 F Hirsch; 3 M Hursh. All Weights, Ladies: 1 C Hodgson; 2 P Sellin; 3 M Gibson. Men: 1 R Dolan; 2 R Fox; 3 J Hall. Wrestling Costume, Boys: 1 Matty Hodgson; 2 Jamie Wilson; 3 George Wilson. Girls: 1 Gemma Coulthard; 2 Olivia Wilson; 3 Abi Marston. Men: 1 T Hodgson; 2 B Brocklebank; 3 M Atkinson. Ladies: 1 C Hodgson.

Hounds Trail

Puppy: 1 Jenny’s Choice; 2 Debra; 3 Flawless. Open, restricted: 1 Jimmy Brown; 2 Tinkerbell; 3 Tagget. Veterans: 1 Ivy Crag; 2 Temptation; 3 The Penny Arcade. Fell Hounds Derby - Seniors: 1 Momentum; 2 Jenny’s Rascal; 3 Desire. Adult Terriers, Dogs: 1 Bertie (Border); 2 Eric (Lakeland cross); 3 Rocky (Border). Bitches: 1 Bella (Border) 2 Ruby (Patterdale x Fell); 3 Bracken (Border). Best in Show: Bella, best bitch. Reserve: Bertie. Adults - Dogs: 1 Blue (Standard Poodle); 2 Deffa (Miniature Schnauzer); 3 Pi (Golden Retriever). Bitches: 1 Grace (Irish Setter); 2 Inca (Munster Mauder); 3 Millie (Beagle). Best in Show: Blue, best dog; Reserve: Grace, best bitch.