Last updated at 14:39, Monday, 01 February 2010

THE weekend cold snap didn’t deter more than 170 runners taking to the slopes of Birkrigg Common, near Ulverston, for the annual fell race yesterday.

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Athletes of all ages battled it out on challenging courses, with the hard frost having left some sections slippery underfoot.

The biggest field of the day was in the senior race, with 71 entrants toeing the start line.

The runners ascended to the trig point on the summit of Birkrigg Common, before racing down towards the coastal village of Bardsea.

They then endured a leg-sapping climb back to the summit and a final sprint down the common’s Ulverston-facing slope to the finish line.

Despite going slightly the wrong way mid-race, Sedbergh School pupil Sam Fisher led from start to finish to clock a winning time of 19 minutes and seven seconds.

Although impressive in his victory, Fisher’s time for the three-and-a-half mile course was still some way outside the record of 17:28, set by Ulverston’s former England fell running international Chris Doyle in 2005.

Second place was claimed by experienced runner Mike Robinson (19:21), who after a steady start worked his way through the field. Hot on the Kendal man’s heels was third-placed Carl Bell, of Howgill Harriers (19:29).

First woman to finish was Carol Evans, from Settle, in a time of 22:18. Evans was placed an impressive 17th overall in the field.

The second-biggest entry of the day was in the under-12s race, with 70 exuberant youngsters stampeding to the top of the common and straight back down again.

Among those on the start line were a large contingent from local running clubs GSK Hoad Hill Harriers and Broughton Runners, as well as many from Ulverston Victoria High School.

The first 10 youngsters were separated by just 30 seconds at the finish line, with Joshua Newbold, from Wharfedale in Yorkshire, leading the way.

There were also competitive races in both the under-14s and under-17s events.

Results: Under-12s: Boys: 1 Joshua Newbold, 2 Lloyd Davies, 3 Michael Hutchinson. First girl: Mary O’Reilly. Under-14s: Boys: 1 James hall, Ben Johnstone, Phil Done. First Girl: Bella Gray.

Under-17s Boys: 1 Rory Addison, 2 Sam Till, 3 Tom Doyle. First girl: Melanie Hyder.

Seniors: Men: 1 Sam Fisher, 2 Mike Robinson, 3 Carl Bell. First woman: 1 Carol Evans.

First published at 12:59, Monday, 01 February 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk