After weeks of unsettled and wet weather the sun shone down on the annual Burnsall Feast fell race on Saturday.

Hundreds of people gathered on the green for various events including traditional races, gladiator-style pillow fights, the ducking pool, the pet show and, of course, the classic fell race and 10-mile road race.

Alan Stockdale, chairman of the Burnsall Feast Sports Committee, said it had been a good day.

He said: "We were incredibly lucky with the weather. The rain stopped at the right time, the sun shone and the green was dry."

Little has changed with the traditional races, which date back to the Elizabethan era. The fell race, however, is a relative newcomer, beginning after a drinking session in the Red Lion in 1870.

A good fell runner is thought to be able to finish in around 15 minutes, 10 minutes for the ascent and five minutes for the descent.

This year's winner Ian Holmes, a veteran over 40 from Bingley Harriers, completed the course in 14 minutes 39 seconds. He has won the race six times.

The first woman to finish was Lisa Lacon, of the Halifax Harriers, in a time of 18 minutes 27 seconds.

Mr Stockdale said there were a good number of entries for the fell race, especially the juniors.

He said: "A few years ago, we only had 10 or 12 taking part in the junior races, but we've spent a lot of time promoting them and the young ones now seem very keen to run, which is lovely. We're very keen to keep that up."

Organisers were pleased there was no medical dramas on the fell this year - in 2007 competitor Dave Cartwright suffered a heart attack during the race. To show his appreciation of the Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, which played a major part in saving his life, Mr Cartwright presented rescuers with a cheque for £500 on Saturday.

The 10-mile road race got off to a prompt start at 2.30pm and was led by Ian Fisher, of Otley AC, from the start.

Elsewhere on the green entertainment was provided by a Punch and Judy show and The Lofthouse and Middlesmoor Silver Band.

* See today's Craven Herald for the full results.