The BOFRA season continued on Saturday at Kirkby in Furness Gala.

This little village nestled in the Furness Fells welcomes runners with open arms and the fell race is one of the main attractions at the annual event. The senior race starts from the Gala field then goes out on a steep road climb before climbing up a gradient to the top of Bank House Moor.

The views from here are breath- taking with the Lakeland fells such as Coniston Old Man and the glorious River Duddon estuary, providing some escapism if you can’t get your head round fell running.

The race is 4.3 miles with over 1,300 feet of climbing. Saturday’s weather was hot with a slight breeze making it a hard slog for the 62 athletes to race in.

Simon Bailey, who runs for Mercia fell runners, powered his way round the senior course coming home in a time of 30.31 over a minute up on Shaun Godsman of Calder Valley.

Hellifield’s Jimmy Craig had a storming run to finish in third place with Wharfedale Harrier Paul (Crabby) Crabtree in sixth place ahead of Keighley & Craven’s Chris Loftus.

Wharfedale’s Paul Carman finished in tenth place with the first under-23 Declan Bulmer following him in 11th position.

The ladies race saw the in-form Hazel Robinson of Ambleside clock up another win with Ilkley’s Jann Smith second.

Threshfield’s Jean Powell was first v45 lady and fourth overall with Settle’s Judith Marshall hot on her heels coming home fifth lady.

Keighley & Craven have some talented juniors. Robert Thompson was first in the under-17 boys’ race with club-mate Hannah Thom taking second prize in the under-17 girls. Ingleton’s Hannah Newbold was third.

Keighley & Craven’s James Lund came back into the arena with a comfortable lead over Bingley Harrier Matthew Merrick in the under-14 boys’ race.

The Wharfedale duo of Robbie Johnstone and Charlie Lowrie put in good performances coming back third and fifth. Bingley’s Victoria Merrick went one better than her brother by winning the under-14 girls’ race. Wharfedale’s Shona Hastings was second.

The under-12s are the strongest age group. Kendal’s Frazer Sproul will take some passing and his BOFRA wins are stacking up so his latest victory was no surprise .

Thomas Marshall took second place for Settle Harriers and Wharfedale’s Ciaren Crabtree was third.

They will keep the pressure on Sproull along with Settle runner Sebastian Segger Staveley who came back in fifth place. Wharfedale’s Charlotte Barrett and Keera Nelson were third and fourth respectively in the under-12 girls with Keighley’s Emma Thompson in fifth.

The under-nine race saw Settle’s Douglas Segger Staveley take second position just ahead of Keighley’s Joe Spencer. Keighley & Craven’s Sophie Beau- mont won the girls under-nines race convincingly. BOFRA are over the Border on Saturday at the Alva Highland Games in Scotland.