A MAJOR international fell running event is to be staged at Ambleside.

The International Mountain Running Youth Cup will be held in the Lake District town next year, the first time the prestigious event has taken place in the UK.

The news has been seen as a major coup for Ambleside AC and will provide a significant economic boost for the area.

“This is a fantastic accolade for our local club and will bring the international spotlight on Ambleside,” said club member and chairman of the organising committee Duncan Richards.

The event has been a stepping stone for U19 fell and mountain runners to race internationally since 2006. GB triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee started their international racing career at this championship.

Meanwhile, more than 100 runners competed at the annual summer fell race in Tebay.

In perfect weather conditions, all the competitors managed to complete the gruelling 9.4 miles race, which had a 3,000ft climb.

The race was tight between Keswick’s Carl Bell, Max Wainwright of Dark Peaks and Keswick’s guest Baptiste Ellmenreich.

However, it was Bell’s superior down speed which led him to win the race in one hour, 15 minutes and eight seconds, swiftly followed by Wainwright (1-15-20). Keswick’s Ellmenreich (1-15-20) came third.

Helm Hill’s Bianca Dyer was the first woman and first FV40 to finish in one hour and 39 minutes and came 43rd overall.

She was followed by Nickey Russell (01-45-35) of Bowland Fell Runners and Settle Harriers’s Carol Evans (01-47-17), who was also first FV50.

Darren Kay (01-17-48) of Calder Valley Fell Runners was first MV40 and came fourth place overall.

Bowland Fell Runners’ Mark Chippendale was first MV50 in a time of one hour 30 minutes and 33 seconds.

The organisers of the race wished to express their thanks to Mark Bland for sponsoring the event.

Ullswater Country Fair also held its annual Arnison Dash on Sunday.

A new junior record was set by Lancaster and Morecambe’s Tom Humphries (15-07) who finished second behind Ambleside’s Matt Elkington (14-33), with Elkington’s team mate and defending champion Tom Simpson third in the 1.5 mile race with a time of 15-11.

The first woman back was Philippa Barrett in a time of 21-32 and 13th overall.

Current women’s record holder Nicola Davies from Borrowdale who finished in 22-50 was second lady back and first FV60, while Lindsay Buck from CFR was third back and first FV50.