THIS year’s Cowling Fun Day fell race got off to a good start as a record 70 juniors and 39 seniors toed the line waiting for the whistle to go.

Rain during the days running up to the race had softened the often hard and gnarly route and even produced some worthy muddy puddles along the way.

Starting with a mad sprint across the field, the race soon becomes a matter of agility as a tall wall must be scaled in order to reach the road crossing and route to the fell.

Once on the fell, runners clamber over rocks to Salt Pot, or Wainman’s Pinnacle. What follows is a relatively flat skyline run along Earl Crag to the Pepper Pot, or Lund’s Tower.

Runners round the tower before returning the way they came to the finish line.

The skyline run might be relatively flat but on the return the course has a very slight incline which slows even the fastest of runners.

Seniors and under-17s run together allowing for some good competition between older and younger runners. In contrast to last year the race was indeed won by a senior, in the form of Ilkley Harriers’ Tom Adams (19.25) from Ribble Valley Harriers’ Chris Barnes (20.06) and Wharfedale Harriers’ Jack Holder (21.24).

The senior ladies race was won by Barlick’s Sarah Bell (22.39) from Wharfedale’s Pippa Barrett (23.52) and Karen Brooks (29.03).

The under-17 winner and second overall was Rossendale Harriers’ Matthew Mackay (20.06) who won the race last year.

The second and third boys were Wharfedale’s Jack Muir (21.43) and Keighley and Craven’s Jack Walton (21.56). The first and only under-17 girl, and third female overall, was Wharfedale’s Alana Willis (28.58).

The winner of the under-14 race was Wharfedale’s Alex Thompson (10.08), from club mate Sam Smith (10.11) and Barlick’s Jack Villiers (10.51).

Winner of the girls’ race was Trawden’s Holly Crook (12.59) ahead of Wharfedale’s Tui Brooks (13.51) and Skyrac’s Harriet Beaumont (14.49).

Wrexham’s Ted Bolton (9.21) won the under-12 race from Keighley’s James Sadler-Townsend (9.28) and Rossendale’s Joe Ormrod (9.43).

The first girl was Horwich RMI Harriers’ Freya Whittle (9.53) ahead of Otley’s Charlotte Rawstron (10.12) and Clayton-le-Moors’ Helana White (10.25).

U9 race winner was Keighley’s Alex Sadler-Townsend (6.34) from Barlick’s George Fitzpatrick (6.52) and Trawden’s Oliver Brown (6.54).

The first girl, and second overall, was Wharfedale’s Isabella Wright (6.45) ahead of Barlick duo Bella McCredie (7.06) and Evies Scott (7.13).