MERCIA’S Simon Bailey was definitely solar powered as he stormed to victory at this year’s Ambleside Sports Guides race.

He virtually sprinted to the summit in a little over nine minutes and maintained his lead to win in 14min 09sec.

Bailey finished almost a minute ahead of Wharfedale’s Ted Mason (15.02) with Helm Hill’s Josh Jardine third in 15:52).

The race was staged on one of the hottest Cumbrian days anyone had seen for many years and some called the conditions “punishingly hot.”

Jardine’s 3rd place was no mean feat as only hours earlier he had won the nine-mile, equally hot and dry, romp around Fairfield Horseshoe in the Rydal Round race.

Ladies winner, Keswick’s Hannah Horsburgh was fifth overall in 16:17. Helm Hill’s Sharon Taylor (18:34) and Ribble Valley’s Kirsty Hall (18:44) were second and third respectively.

Running over the same course as the seniors, the under-17 winner, Keighley & Craven’s Joe Hudson would have been second with his time of 14:54 mins.

He held off the challenges of Kendal’s Fraser Sproul (15:09) and Wharfedale’s Sam Smith (15:30).

Following the trend set by the boys, under-17 girls winner, Ambleside’s Chloe Rylance would have been second lady in 18:00 had she run the senior race.

Middlesbrough’s Betty Bergstrand was second girl in 18:50 ahead of Ilkley’s Bernadette Raven (18:55).

The winner of the under-14 race by more than a minute was Ambleside’s Charlie Allmond (11:43) from clubmate James Bowen, (12:57) and Cumberland’s George Sidaway (13:14).

Podium regular, Otley’s Charlotte Rawstron won the girls’ race in 14:08 from Leven Valley’s Olesia Winder (15:14) and Helm Hill’s Sarah Smith (15:17).

The U12 race winner was another podium regular, Ambleside’s Rowan Ashworth (8:11) from Barlick’s Jacob Reeday (8:46) and Lancaster and Morecambe’s James Brassington (8:49).

Leven Valley’s Georgia Bell won the girls’ race (9:31) ahead of Keighley’s Katie Buckley (9:51) and Leven Valley’s Bethan Saunders (10:20).

Jamie Dent is having a fantastic first season in fell running and flew home to another win in 5:38 from Helm Hill duo Joseff Tancrel (5:50) and Cooper Wadsworth (5:58).

Ackworth Road Runners’ Isla Ball beat all her opponents to win the girls’ race in 6:36 from Leven Valley’s Lucy Bell (6:49) and Helm Hill’s Isla Jebb (6:58).