ATHLETES and runners have been praised for their incredible efforts during the latest Senior Inter-Counties Mountain Race.

Impressive performances from Cumbrian athletes at the inter-counties fell championships saw them win both team and individual medals.

Scout Adkin, who runs for Ambleside AC, was the overall winner in the women’s race, whilst Chris Richards of Helm Hill won the men’s race.

The 7-mile route (11.3km) with 2500 feet of climbing (750m) took the 155 runners from Llanberis on a horseshoe route with Moel Eilio being the highest point. Cumbria's women's team won gold, whilst the men won silver. There were 21 counties represented in the men’s race and 14 in the women’s event.

Hannah Russell, who runs for Helm Hill, finished 2nd whilst Eve Pannone (Eden Runners) was the third counter for Cumbria, in 9th place, and first under-23.

Matt Elkington (Ambleside AC) finished 7th overall with Joe Dugdale of CFR finishing in 13th place, and third U23, to give Cumbria men a silver medal for the team with Yorkshire winning gold.

Harry Bolton (Keswick) and Sam Holding (CFR), also representing Cumbria, finished in 19th and 29th respectively. Antonia Fan (Ambleside AC) and Sophie Noon (CFR), also running for Cumbria, finished 10th and 12th, highlighting the strength in depth of the womens team.

Scout Adkin, who finished second at the Scottish National Cross Country Championships in February, was delighted with both her performance and the teams.

“This was the first time I've represented Cumbria and it was really nice to be part of an amazing team of women who I'm usually competing against!” she said.

Chris Richards, the reigning British fell running champion, was pleased with the results of hard training.

“In 2018 I finished 22nd at the inter-counties, so the win marks the progress I've made over the last four years.”

The results at the inter-countes by the Cumbrian team are widely recognised as being the most impressive in recent years over the disciplines of fell, track, road or cross-country and it is hoped it might lead to more funding for the Cumbrian fell teams in the future.