MATT Elkington continued his excellent run of form by triumphing in the annual Black Combe Fell Race.

Just a week after securing a third-placed finish for host club Glaxo Hoad Hill Harriers in the Mid Lancs Cross Country Series in Ulverston, Elkington triumphed in the annual 8.2-mile challenge.

This time representing Ambleside AC, Elkington finished the course in a time of 72:58, more than three minutes ahead of runner-up Alistair McLeod, of Aire Orienteers (76:17).

Elkington reigned supreme on a foggy day with poor visibility, where seven of the 120 starters failed to finish the tough course, which starts from Silecroft and covers 3,281 feet of ascent.

As well as winning the overall race, Elkington picked up the prize for fastest two-mile descent from the south summit to the finish line in an exceptional eight minutes, 44 seconds. Donna Cartwright (Radcliffe AC) clocked 14:58 for the quickest female descent.

Elkington held off McLeod to win with ease, with John Heneghan, of Pudsey and Bramley AC (76:46), and Harry Stainton, of host club Black Combe Runners (76:56), coming home in third and fourth.

BCR’s Josh Hartley also put in a great display to land seventh, in 84:10.

The first female back at Silecroft was Michelle Foxwell, of Ambleside AC in 105:45. Cartwright was second in 111:00, pipping the host club’s Jess Lawrence by 12 seconds.

Other BCR results: Tim Ripper (84:47), James Harris (86:00), Edward Gleadowe (94:49), Richard Watson (97:30), Julian Donnely (108:05), Peter Tayler (109:34), Steve Wathall (1.49:40), Chris Roberts (110:02), Nick Sebley (110:50), John Parminter (112:36), Simon Austin (117:28), Simon Rodger (121:04), James Goffe (123:23), Gavin Lloyd (129:56), Richard Beard (130.26), Susan Ross (137.23) and Colin Woodford (148.03).

It was a busy weekend on the road for Hoad Hill Harriers athletes, as they competed in the Dentdale Run and the Lancaster Mothers Day 10k.

The shorter 7.9-mile Dentdale race was won by Stephen Jackson (Elvet Striders) in 43:48, and the first female home was Jayne Perry, of Lancaster and Morecambe, in 57:30.

Two Harriers and one Black Combe Runners completed the course; Simon Barton finished 40th and fourth V60 in 67:24, with Sally Barton coming 70th and second Lady V55 in 73:05, while Black Combe Runners stalwart Karl Fursey was 147th in 104:41.

The longer 14.2-mile race, featuring 421 competitors, was won by Steve Littler in 82.28. The first lady home was Kate Archer, of Ilkley Harriers, in 99.08.

Harriers results: 42. Gary Dover, 97:32; 106. Dave Bridges, 108:54; 163. Alistair MacDonald, 118:20; 215. Ken Lamb, 124:55; 367. Janine McNeill, 150:03; and 404. Penny Moreton,170.46.

Harriers club-mates Tom Southward and Amy Whelan took part in the Lancaster Mothers Day 10, with Southward clocking 40.27 for 20th place and Whelan finishing 31st of 243 runners in 42.50.