Ambleside Sports is one of the classic events of the fell running year. The setting of the showground is magnificent as it forms a natural arena nestling amongst the fells forming Fairfield Horse- shoe.

It was here that the legendary Fred Reeves – winner of the event ten times – set a record time of 13 minutes 13 seconds in 1975 over the 800ft two-mile senior fell race course and his time still has not been beaten.

The British Open Fell Runners Association organise races at Ambleside for both junior and seniors which are open to everyone.

It attracts some of the best fell runners in the British Isles hoping to come into the arena ahead of everyone to the cheers from thousands of spectators.

For the likes of Appletreewick’s Ted Mason winning last Thursday’s latest staging of the race, would put him in the driving seat for the BOFRA championship.

However, victory for his main rival, Helm’s Alistair Dunn, would boost his chances of an eighth BOFRA senior title. The day started off wet making the running hard work over the sodden ground.

There were 81 runners in the senior race and it was one of Bingley Harriers’ elite runners who shone.

Rob Jebb was determined to win the race and he achieved his goal.

It wasn’t easy though. He was pushed hard on the tough rugged climb through the bracken by Wharfedale ’s Ted Mason who climbed out of his skin.

The descent is Mason’s domain but he still had too much ground to make up and Jebb came over the line just half a minute up on Mason in a time of 14.31.

This was no disgrace for Mason considering the athletes he had behind him.

His second place gave him the points as first BOFRA runner home with Dunn back in fourth – just three seconds behind Ambleside’s Ben Abdelnoor. Hellifield ’s Jimmy Craig came back tenth senior and first under-23 man.

He was just three seconds ahead of his Wharfedale counterpart Mathew Ather-smith. The ladies event was won comfortably by Bingley Harrier Sharon Taylor.

Wharfedale Harriers’ top under-17 runner James Hall was forced to sit out the under-17 race because of injury.

He would have been favourite for the race and that put clubmates Harry Muir and Ben Johnstone in the spotlight.

They finished third and fourth respectively in a race won by another Johnston – Ellenborough’s Sam. Keighley & Craven’s Zara Knappy was the winner of the under-17 girls race.

She came back clear of Rossendale’s Leah William-son.

The under-14 fell race saw Helm Hill’s Chris Richards win from Keighley’s James Lund.

One second separated the next two runners and Wharfedale’s Josh Newbold just held off his fellow Wharfedale runner Thomas Nelson to get third prize Katie Horn was Wharfe- dale’s only girl runner and came back seventh girl in a race won by Helm’s Katherine Lawson.

There a bumper field of 78 runners for the under-12 race. This was a cavalry charge led by Hyndburn’s Joshua Boyle, who pulled well clear of the other runners coming back in front of Kendal’s Ben Grainger and Wharfedale’s Robbie Johnstone and Logan Hargreaves Madhas.

The best-placed Keighley & Craven runner was Elliot Brett in seventh place.

Wharfedale’s Shona Hast- ings was fifth in the girls race.