A HELM Hill runner was seconds off breaking another record at a British counter championship race.

Following a series of wins and record breaking performances in a number of races, Kelli Roberts, of Ambleside, who was rewarded with an England vest last month, was just 30 seconds from setting a new record at the Creag Dhubh Hill Race on Saturday.

Finishing in 33.01 as first woman and 57th overall out of 300 runners it was still a close call for Kelli, as Jill Stephen, of Hunters Bog Trotters, was chasing behind and crossed the line just 10 seconds later.

The record has not been broken since 2006.

In 63rd overall, Sara Willhoit, of Mercia Fell Runners was third woman in 33.29.

The overall champion of the 5.6 km race, which saw runners face an obstacle course of barriers, a lumpy field full of thistles and a number of streams, was Locahber’s Finlay Wild (26.49).

He was followed by Shettleston Harrier’s Alasdair McLeod (27.48) and Central Athletics Club’s Jamie Crowe (27.56).

Helm Hill’s Rob Jebb was the first MV40 and 21st overall in 29.49 and Borrowdale’s Mark Roberts (31.09) was the first MV50 in 38th.

Ellenborough’s Ricky Lightfoot defended his title and secured another convincing win at Borrowdale as he finished the tough race in a time of three hours, three minutes and 57 seconds.

The 16.8 mile route saw 250 runners race over Bessy Boot, Esk Hause, Scafell Pike to Styhead stretcher box, over to the top of Great Gable before reaching Honister Hause and Dalehead.

Keswick’s Brennan Townshend crossed the line in second in 3-10-09, and was also first MV50.

He was followed by Bingley Harrier’s Ian Holmes who came in third in 3-18-11.

Dark Peak’s Majka Kunicka was the first woman to finish the gruelling race in a time of four hours and five seconds. She came 35th overall and was followed closely by team mate and second woman Lisa Watson (4-03-17).

Buckley’s Hayley Evans was third woman, and 66th overall, in 4-16-34.

Ambleside’s Garry Greenhow, who won Kentmere Horseshoe the previous weekend, was 10th overall and first MV40 in a time of 3-31-16.

Dark Peak’s Nicky Spinks was the first FV50 and fifth woman in four hours, 22 minutes and 36 seconds.