Helm Hill's Kelli Roberts smashes Great Lakes fell race record

Roberts crossed the finishing line in three hours, three minutes and 45 seconds, coming 47th overall, and beating the 2016 record. 

And on a day of fantastic performances, Keswick's Carl Bell was just 17 seconds off breaking the men's record on Saturday.

The course, which is around 13 miles in distance and ascends to nearly 7,000 feet, was tackled by more than 300 runners.

Photo: Graham Smith

The route is packed with variety and it includes an ascent of the two highest peaks in the Lakes - Scafell Pike and Scafell.

Keswick’s Brennan Townshend (02-40-24) came in second followed by Mercia’s Gareth Hughes (02-42-42).

 Nichola Jackson (03-13-57), from Ribble Valley Harriers, was the second woman in 65th and Helm Hill’s Sharon Taylor (03-18-40) followed in third.

Staveley’s Rob Jebb (02-43-55), was the first V40 and came in fifth overall. 

Meanwhile, there was a gripping finale to the team event in Saturday evening's Lakeside Gummers How fell race which also sees competitors navigate a rowing boat over the waters of Windermere.

Ambleside runners reached the water's edge first for the return row across the lake but their oarsmanship let them down and the trio from Helm Hill - Ben Procter, Paul Reilly and Jack Simpson - took a more direct line back to shore.

Following closely in their wake were the Bowland team but half way across they went astray allowing the Helm Hill team to pull away with each stroke and win with Ambleside having to settle for third.

The individual race was a much more straight forward affair with Wharfedale's Robin Howie winning comfortably to collect the copper kettle trophy.