A HIGH turn-out from the three big South Lakeland fell running clubs saw 188 runners competing at the Dunnerdale Fell Race on Saturday.

The route starts and finishes from the Blacksmiths Arms in Broughton Mills and takes in four short climbs - The Knott, Raven's Craf, Stickle Pike and Great Stickle - covering eight kilometres and 550 metres of climbing.

Black Combe Runners, the host club, along with Helm Hill Runners and Ambleside AC had a large contingent of entrants. Ambleside AC took home the men's team prize and Helm Hill the ladies.

The individual race winner was Ellenborough AC’s Ricky Lightfoot in a time of 39 minutes and 45 seconds. Lightfoot was third in 2017, but this year took the victory over Ambleside AC’s Matt Elkington who had to settle for second place for the second year, finishing in a time of 40-23. Calder Valley’s Math Roberts finished strongly in third place (41-22), overtaking Helm Hill's Rob Jebb in the final mile.

The first MU23 was Helm Hill's Josh Jardine (42-25) who crossed the line behind Ambleside's Ben Abdelnoor who placed fifth in 41-40. Borrowdale's Mark Roberts (43-43), who lives in Kendal, was the first MV50 in tenth position.

Helm Hill’s Kelli Roberts took the ladies' race in 46-57, winning by over a minute from club-mate Sharon Taylor (48-20), whilst Ambleside AC’s Beth Hanson was third in 49-21. Roberts and Taylor have finished the season in great form having secured gold and bronze respectively in the 2018 English championships.

This Saturday sees the start of the Kong Winter Series of fell races with the Two Riggs fell race starting from Bram Crag Farm at 11am.