THERE were no first time nerves for Wharfedale Harriers’ Ted Mason as he stormed into the finish line as winner at this year’s Lowgill Sports Fell Race.

At just over two miles in length, it is a relatively short event but does have 1,000 feet of ascent with very varied terrain. Starting in the sports field, the race takes a sharp left turn and drops down through gnarly fields to meet the River Hindburn. Runners cross the river via a sturdy bridge and commence the first part of the outward climb.

Once in the trees in Helks Wood, the route becomes a hand over fist technical climb over trees roots.

Almost as soon as you leave the woods, the gradient becomes much shallower and runners are treated to a tussocky run out to the trig at the summit of White Moss.

From here runners turn left and return via a different route down through Helks Wood.

The descent through the trees is again technical with more than one competitor sliding down on their rear.

The course then meanders over hummocks and through bracken to meet the bridge over the river.

There's a punishing uphill finale to reach the very welcome finish line.

On the day, the ground was hard and dry but the sun shone, making it a fast, if hot, race.

These conditions clearly suited Mason as he finished in 15:54 mins well over a minute ahead of Charlie Ing in second place (17.12), and setting a new recent record. Barlick’s Nick Treitl was third man home in 17:18.

Dallam’s Vicky Kirkwood won the ladies race (24:46) from Wharfedale’s Lynn Whittaker (24:58) and Cumberland Fell Runners’ Lindsay Buck (25:13).

The under-17 race saw Keighley and Craven’s Eric Beaumont continued his run of success this season as he romped home in first place (12:.26) ahead of Settle Harriers’ Thomas Marshall (12:43) with Bingley Harriers’ Joe Carnelly (12:53) third. Rossendale’s Lauryn Gregg won the girls’ race (16:29) from Liverpool’s Annabelle Corlett (18:46).

Ambleside’s Charlie Allmond won the under-14 race (7:35) which turns just before Helk’s Wood, from Helm Hill duo Alex Tallon (8:20) and Henry Hunter (8:35) second and third respectively.

Otley’s Charlotte Rawstron won the girls’ race (9:02), continuing her excellent form this season.

Wharfedale’s Amelie Lane crossed the line second in 9:27 and is also enjoying good running form so far this season. Cumberland’s Emily Swarbrick took third place in 9:45.

The under-12 race turns atop a hummock just after the river crossing to return via the same route and was won by Barlick’s Jacob Reeday (7:24) from Ambleside’s Rowan Ashworth (4:35) and Cumberland’s Mylo Jewell (4:37).

The girls’ race produced a victory for Clayton-le-Moors’ Helana White (4:53) from Helm Hill’s Elise Tallon (5:17) and Woodford Green’s Verity Ross (5:19).

The shortest, but by no means least competitive race, is the under-nine event which turns just before the river crossing to launch straight into the merciless uphill finish.

This year it was won by Jamie Dent (3:11) ahead of Settle’s Carl Sanderson (3:13) and Barlick’s Isaac Reeday (3:22).

The first girl was Leven Valley’s Florrie Haddow (3:32) ahead of Wharfedale’s Isobel Patefield (3:37) and Ambleside’s Tess Evans (3:42).