IT was a great day at the races for Helm Hill’s Mark Addison as he won this year’s Ambleside Sports, Guides Fell Race.

The route to the summit at Sweden Crag has been altered this year due to fence building and tree planting along the line of the original route up the hill, making his time of 13.59 a new course record.

The terrain was firm and provided the ideal running surface, with any uneven parts adding to the fun of the chase. Even the British weather was on the side of the 114 runners as the conditions were just right for a race over the steep fell side.

Second to re-enter the show arena was Rhys Findlay-Robinson of Dark Peak, with Wharfedale Harriers’ Ted Mason in third place.

In her now legendary style, Wharfedale Harriers’ Emma Hopkinson was first lady to finish in a time of 18.20, followed by season rivals Lauren Munro-Bennett of Helm Hill in second place and Ambleside’s Hazel Robinson in third.

Wharfedale’s Thomas Nelson continued his winning streak as he romped home in the under-17 race in a time of 15.49.

The under-17s ran the same course as the seniors, making Thomas’ time even more impressive. Second and third into the show arena were Wharfedale Harriers’ Harry Muir and Thomas Marchant of Pendle AC.

The first under-17 girl was Katherine Lawson of Helm Hill in a time of 19.42, with Helm Hill’s Georgia Stevens second and Hannah Durkin of Ambleside third.

The runaway winner of the under-14s race was Joe Edmondson of Broughton Runners in a time of 13.02. Keighley and Craven’s Joe Hudson was second and Logan Hargreaves-Madhas of Wharfedale Harriers was third

Esme Davies of Eden Runners was first girl into the arena, in a time of 14.01, followed by Keighley and Craven’s Katie Atkinson and Helm Hill’s Imogen Burrow.

The mixed under-nine and under-12 race had a bumper 106 runners, all vying for position.

The top three was a Cumbrian affair as Kendal’s Fraser Sproul won in 8:10, from Broughton Runners’ Ben Edmondson and Ambleside’s James Bowen.

The first three girls were Ambleside’s Chloe Rylance in a time of 9:17, with Keighley and Craven’s Lilli Carr second and Wharfedale Harriers’ Charlotte Barrett third.