THE fourth Lakes Sky Ultra again demonstrated both the allure of the Lake District and the international appeal of skyrunning, with runners representing Austria, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Poland and Romania (as well as Britain) all arriving in Ambleside.

The 56km race started at 7am on Saturday 14 in warm conditions, peaking at around 20?C in the afternoon, but with minimal shade for tired runners contending with 4,500m of ascent.

The elite field of 74 runners began the ascent of Dove Crag, with GB international trail-runner Rob Sinclair taking an early lead. By Striding Edge the Scot had a 10-minute advantage and as the day progressed it looked like he might break the course record of 7:30:27.

Ultimately, Sinclair arrived at the finish line in Ambleside just 10 minutes off the record. “The race was brilliant,” he said. “It was a really good run. It was super hot, but I felt good in the heat today.

“I loved the race,” said second-placed Tim Campion-Smith (GBR), who won last year’s sister race, the Scafell Sky Race.

“The first five hours were great. Hours five to seven were pretty bleak, but then it was a nice little run in to the finish. The blueberries were out too, so I stocked up on a few calories.”

“The other two lads were just a different level today,” said third-placed Andy Berry (GBR), who was 13 minutes faster than his winning time last year.

In the women’s race, New Zealand-born GB international trail-runner Sophie Grant, who was placed second at LSU in 2016, won by over two and a half hours, in a time of 10:14:41. “This is a race with service!” she said as she was sprayed with water at the finish line. “I’m feeling way better now. That was fantastic.It’s just such a cool race.”

Kate Simpson (GBR) was second in 12:37:38, with Jenny Yate (GBR) third in 12:51:35.

“I’m really chuffed with that,” said the Helm Hill runner. “I really enjoyed it up till Patterdale [30K into the race], then it got tough. The climb up High Street just went on forever. Coming off Red Scree [the final descent] seemed to go on forever, too. The marshals were amazing the whole way round.”

Sunday’s 42km Scafell Sky Race was won by husband and wife Jonathan and Henriette Albion, both of Great Britain.