A FORMER fell racing star has lost a long and courageous battle against cancer at the age of 73.

Dennis Robinson – unbeaten in under 17 fell races in the long hot summer of 1959 – broke the crag race record at Kilnsey Show, which stood for the next 19 years.

It was at the time when all serious fell runners followed the historic tradition of competing in fell boots, which weighed like clogs in comparison to the much-lighter shoes of more recent years.

Dennis' crag race was finally beaten by the future England international, Mick Hawkins, in 1978, but such was the achievement, only two more winners in the intervening 57 years have managed to go marginally faster.

Dennis' rivals in 1959 included Geoff Gardner, John Longstaff and Roger Ingham.

"We all thought that we were fit and could go a bit, but Dennis just had the edge on us all," said Roger. "And, while it is sad to lose him, the mention of his name will always evoke pleasant memories of a glorious summer and a glorious chapter in the sports at large."

Dennis lived in Kirkby Stephen.