Sunday saw runners of all ages descend on Kettlewell for the second race in the BOFRA Championship. Like most of the local fell races it’s short – 1½ miles – and sharp with plenty of rough terrain to negotiate over the 600ft climb. These races require strong lungs, agility and a good turn of speed from the start to the finish line.

Watching runners hurling them- selves down scree and steep rocky descents is an awesome sight for followers of this sport.

This year’s race attracted an impressive field of 105 senior runners.

Defending BOFRA champion Ted Mason from Appletreewick went round the summit in third place.

The Wharfedale Harrier is one of fell racings best descenders in these kind of events and he overhauled the two athletes ahead of him, Calder Valley’s Shaun Godsman and Bingley Harrier Ian Holmes, to come come home in 11.42 ahead.

Wharfedale Harrier Sam Watson finished fourth and 17-year-old Wharfedale runner James Hall was fifth and first under-23 man in his first year in the senior ranks. All 105 runners completed this gruelling course.

The ladies race saw Ambleside runner Hazel Robinson win fairly comfortably with Wharfedale Harrier Kirsty Hall in second place ahead of Trawden’s Molly Alderson. Thresh- field runner Jean Powell was first v45 lady.

It was a Wharfedale one two in the under-17s with Harry Muir and John Lockwood. Ilkley Harrier Lucy Haines took the honours in the girls ahead of Ingleton’s Ellie Lambert The under-14s saw a double with Wharfedale’s Thomas Nelson and Shona Hastings each take first place. Keighley’s Louis Holmes and Bingley’s Matt Merrick finished second and third respectively and it was Bingley Harriers Victoria Merrick and Olivia Roper who took 2nd and 3rd prizes.

The well supported under-12s race was won by Kendal’s Frazer Sproul with one second separating Keighley’s Ciaren Crabtree from Settle’s Thomas Marshall in fourth and fifth placs.

Keighley & Craven runners Katie Atkinson and Lucy Fryers had good runs taking second and third in the under-12 girls which was won by Helm Hill runner Mia Walsh.

The under-nines saw wins by Ilkley’s Lewis Carr and Beth Roberts of Keighley & Craven. This Sunday the will see BOFRA competitors in action at Hawkswick in Littondale – noon onwards.