THE destination of the Black Combe Runners Fell Racing Championship will go to the wire this weekend.

Club runners have battled it out over rough terrain throughout the season, but the names of the champions all come down to Saturday’s Kirkby Fell Race.

The penultimate counter race was Black Combe’s own Dunnerdale Fell Race, a five-mile, 1,804ft ascent test from the picturesque hamlet of Broughton Mills.

Poor weather made this year’s race a challenge, and a lower-than-normal field of 134 runners toed the line, greeted with showery conditions.

Leading from the start was Helm Hill Runners’ Mark Addison, no stranger to winning fell races, who duly obliged with another Cumbrian success under his belt as he pipped his brother Tom and clocked 38:27.

Tom was only 63 seconds behind after a brilliant tit-for-tat battle in the closing stages, with third-placed John Heneghan (Pudsey and Bramley AC) also dipping under 40 minutes (39:53).

For the host club, Simon Rodger was first back in 47:52, keeping Matthew Rooke at bay by 65 seconds.

Darren Kay (Calder Valley Fell Runners) was first vet-40 home in 42:03, and first under-20s was Helm Hill’s Chris Richards in 41:51 for sixth overall.

Only one BCR junior man took part, with Gavin Lloyd (MU19) clocking a good 49:20. The women’s race was a one-horse affair ,with Howgill Harriers ACs Heidi Dent destroying the field to win in 46:09, just outside the course record and nearly two minutes ahead of nearest challenger Sharon Taylor (Helm Hill Runners).

Taylor edged out team-mate Hannah Russell, who clocked 48:34 and claimed the first under-20s lady prize.

A superb turnout of twenty Black Combe Runners took part, with many also on marshalling duties.

Remaining BCR times: Matthew Thompson (50:54), Christina Wiejak (52:25), Peter Tayler (54:13), John Parminter (54:25), Matthew Allen (54:47), Martin Currie (54:50), Phil Clayton (56:42), Nick Sebley (58:34), Mike Jewell (59:15), James Goffe (60:46), Robert McKeever (70:24), Viv Riley (70:43), Paula Irons (70:43), Valerie Gill (72:31), Hazel Tayler (74:05), Jane Hornsby (76:31), Karl Fursey (77:21) and Ian Verber (80:58). The club thanked local landowners and residents for allowing the use of land for parking and the race, which will be run on November 12 next year.

The BCR-organised Kirkby Moor Fell Race, covering 6.5 miles and 1,650ft of ascent, starts from Beckside Village Hall, Kirkby, at 11am on Saturday. Entry is £4.50 on the day.

Next Sunday sees the annual Hoad Hill Xmas Pudding Run in Ulverston. The main 10k race starts at 11.30am, with the junior 1km fun run at 11am.