The open fell running season started on Saturday with the battle commen-cing to see who will win the BOFRA senior title won last year by Apple treewick’s Ted Mason.

Sedbergh Gala hosted the first championship race which for the seniors was a 1,200ft climb up the Winder in the Howgills and back down as fast as you can or dare.

It will be jubilation for some and back to the drawing board for others.

On the day it poured with rain making conditions underfoot treach- erous.

It was Bingley Harrier Robb Jebb who dragged the 68 starters up and down the fell.

He finished in 19:38 and was over a minute up on Helm Hill runner Alastair Dunn Dunn set the course record of 19:25 in 2010 when the race was run in better conditions.

The highest-placed Wharfedale runner was Jimmy Craig who was fourth for the second-successive year after another good performance.

Wharfedaler Kirsty Hall was the second lady finisher with Ilkley Harrier Jann Smith taking third prize. Threshfield runner Jean Powell was the first v45 lady whereas Keighley & Craven’s Pippa Barrett finished first under-23 lady In the under-17’s, Keighley & Craven’s Robert Thompson had a good result taking second place while the under-17 girl’s race was won comfortably by Ilkley’s Lucy Haines. Keighley & Craven have a superstar in the under-14s.

James Lund looked totally relaxed as he cruised home to take victory.

He had a clear gap on Ilkley’s Euan Brennan Wharfedale’s Thomas Nelson was third.

Keighley’s Laura Knowles’ efforts grabbed her third prize in the under-14 girls race.

Keighley also had two of its talented under-12s in the prizes.

Will Atkinson was a close second in the under-12 boys whilst clubmate Katie Atkinson did a demolition job in the under-12 girls.

Katie produced a storming run and finished almost half a minute up on the second girl.

The BOFRA season continues on June 9 with one of the most popular races at Kettlewell.