A TOP trio of runners sparkled in the frost as they smashed a host of records in the freezing weekend weather.

Nathaneeal-jon Ingram, of Ambleside, battled against harsh elements as the weather plummeted into minus degrees during his 100-mile Lakes, Meres and Waters challenge.

The course, which is co-ordinated by the Achille Ratti Climbing Club, involves visiting all the 26 lakes, meres and waters in the Lake District. It also entails around 20,000 feet of climbing.

“I loved every second of it,” said Ingram. “Don’t get me wrong there were times when I was cursing and questioning myself why I was doing it, and I was a bit broken after but it was still pretty incredible.”

Mr Ingram, who works at Field and Trek in Ambleside, set off from Loweswater, near Cockermouth, at 6am on Saturday and finished at Overwater 32 hours and 43 minutes later, setting the third fastest time ever for the challenge and also becoming the fastest runner to complete a winter round.

“I couldn’t have done this without my amazing support crew” continued Ingram.

“And I’m hoping that this will bring some attention to the round.”

The 34-year-old, who has lived in Ambleside for the past four years, said he wanted to leave his mark before heading back down south next year.

Mr Ingram has plans to do the Abraham Tea Round and potentially the Frog Graham challenge next.

Another runner, who inadvertently broke a record on Sunday, said she did the challenge to simply ‘enjoy a day out on the fells’.

Angela Wilson, 46, set off on the Abraham Tea Round-which consists of a 30-mile route with 12,000+ feet of ascent that starts and finishes at the doors of George Fisher, Keswick - and returned setting a new female time for the winter round.

She shaved six minutes from the previous record holder and completed it in eight hours and 31 minutes.

“It was magical,” said Wilson. “Without a doubt would I encourage others to do it, it’s just such a good day out and it’s a fantastic route.”

The round takes in all the tops seen from the George Fisher’s cafe window including Catbells, Robinson, Grisedale Pike, Eel Crag, and Causey Pike .

It’s the third time that Wilson has run the course.

“I’m all about being out and enjoying the fells and last weekend we were just blessed with the weather it was phenomenal,” she said. “An incredible moment was seeing the sunrise at Robinson, that was the best bit.”

lBorrowdale runner Kim Collison also broke the Winter Bob Graham Round record - a 66-mile circuit over 42 of England’s highest summits in an astounding 15 hours 47 minutes.

The record, which was held by Jim Mann (18-18) hadn’t been broken since December 1, 2013.