The little village of Reeth in Swaledale was the latest venue for the British Open Fell Runners Association (BOFRA) Championship on Bank Holiday Monday.

This was the first time it has hosted a senior championship and there were record crowds and a record race line-up of 90.

Holder Ted Mason, who runs for Wharfedale, has not had it all his own way this year with many different winners, including Shaun Godsman of Calder Valley.

The atmosphere in the show ring was electric for the build up to the race, and Godsman and Mason were only thinking about glory as they climbed the 800 feet to the summit.

The Calder Valley runner turned first but, in a touch of fell-running magic, Mason launched himself through a rocky, disused quarry and the bracken.

Not only had he put nearly half a minute between himself and Gods-man but he had smashed the course record set by Helm’s Alistair Dunn by 15 seconds.

This was Mason at his best, and his time of 15min 25sec for the two miles will take some beating.

Hellifield’s Jimmy Craig’s third-place time would have won this race in previous years.

He was closely followed by James Hall, with fellow Wharfedaler Paul Carmen putting in a massive effort to finish sixth.

Threshfield’s Kirsty Hall had a convincing win in the women’s race, the Wharfedale Harrier coming back 21 seconds in front of Shelli Gordon of New Marske.

In the under-17s’ race, Hyndburn’s Jacob Boyle set a record over a new route, Wharfedale duo Harry Muir and John Lockwood finishing second and fourth.

Ingleton’s Hannah Newbold was Wharfedale’s highest counter in the girls, also finishing fourth.

There was also a new route for the under-14s, Joshua Boyle emulating his brother with a clear win.

Wharfedale Harriers had three of the top five in Thomas Nelson (second), Charlie Lowrie (fourth) and Robbie Johnstone (fifth).

In the under-12s’, which attracted over 50 runners, category winner Frazer Sproul (Kendal) finished ahead of the much-improved Logan Hargreaves Madhas (Wharfedale), who held off Settle’s Thomas Marshall.