IT was all to play for at this year’s Hawkswick Dash fell race. Many of the familiar faces were either absent or had competed in fell or track races the previous day.

So, on a blustery Yorkshire summer Sunday an impressive 81 senior and 108 juniors toed the start line to enjoy this short, sharp, event.

Runners dash from the start field and across the bridge before a seemingly endless drag up a track to the fell base

Then it is a sharp right turn to a steep, hand over fist, lung-busting climb to Hawkswick Moor.

Runners must then negotiate a couple of wall climbs and an undulating skyline run across tussocky heather before another sharp right turn to the steep descent and dash back across the bridge to the finish funnel.

Eventual race winner, Ben Mounsey (Calder Valley) started as he meant to go on as he posed in his “Usain Bolt sprint start impression” while waiting for the starters gun.

It seemed to work as by the time the race reached the bridge, he had a clear lead and never looked back as he romped home in first place. second and third men were Skyrac’s Joe Woodley and Ilkley Harriers’ Jack Cummings.

In the ladies race, it was a familiar face who won. Wharfedale Harriers’ Kirsty Hall stormed her way to a clear win, finishing in the top 20 overall.

The second and third ladies were Pudsey and Bramley’s Rachel Pilling with Wharfedale’s Pippa Barrett hot on her heels.

The under-17 race follows the same route and was won by Keighley and Craven’s Eric Beaumont from Settle Harriers’ Thomas Marshall second, and Ambleside’s Ben Edmondson in third.

The girls’ race was won in style by Bingley Harriers’ Emily Field from Rossendale’s Lauryn Gregg second and Wharfedale’s Emily Jones third. All three had competed the previous day.

The under-14 boys’ race includes the lung-busting climb before turning and returning via the outward route. It was a real nail-biter as all three podium finishers had run the previous day.

The race winner was Rossendale’s Joel Taylor ahead of the Wharfedale duo of Sam Smith second and Alexander Thompson third.

Wharfedale’s Alice Jones won the girls race despite having run the previous day. She finished ahead of Ilkley’s Bernadette Raven and Keighley’s Lilli Carr who were second and third respectively.

The under-12 race turns at the fell base and was won this year by Blackburn Harriers’ Dexta Thompson from Calder Valley’s James Duffy and Wrexham’s Ted Bolton. All three had competed the previous day.

BOFRA newcomer and superb runner, Charlotte Rawstron of Otley won the girls race from Rossendale’s Evie Taylor second. Third place went to Helm Hill’s Elise Tallon.

Ambleside’s Tom Ashworth continued his fine season with victory in the under-nine race.

Settle’s Jack Sanderson and Keighley’s Charley Catchpole. were second and third respectively.

The girls’ race was won by Keighley team-mate Millie Timbers who is on fine form this season, from Settle’s Lucy Bagot second and Barlick’s Chloe Boothman third.