THE popularity and variety of traditional Lakeland sports was on display in Ambleside.

Hundreds turned out to the community-minded Ambleside Sports near Rydal, to watch runners, cyclists, hound trailers and wrestlers all compete at the historic sports day on Thursday.

Ninety-five runners took part in this year’s Rydal Round, the gruelling nine-mile fell race that opens the event and sees runners complete the Fairfield Horseshoe.

Josh Jardine, running for Helm Hill, won the race with a time of 1:23:31. He said: “It was very hot, which made it hard. There was a bit of a breeze on my top but that didn’t do much to help.

“I am pleased I managed to run it all despite the heat. I have run Fairfield before but never the Rydal Round.

“I am please to have run it. I really enjoyed it. It is one of my favourite little runs. You get all the views and today was a lovely day for it.”

Charlotte Watson, unattached, of Cockermouth, was fastest woman. She managed a time of 1:43:22. She said that she took part in the race to test her fitness ahead of her competing in the world orienteering championships next week.

“I wanted to see if I could do it and run hard the whole way,” she said. “I am really pleased with my time and I loved doing it. It is lovely when you are at the top and can see the Lakes around you.”

The prestigious senior guides race was celebrating a special anniversary year, as ex-Rydal Round organiser and renowned runner Pete Bland watched the start of the race 50 years after he first won it, on his ninth attempt.

Ninety-nine people took part in the short, steep race, with Mercia Fell Runners’ Simon Bailey, who also won the blue ribbon event two years ago. He recorded a time of 14:09, which was close to a minute faster than Ted Mason in second place.

The fastest South Lakeland runner in the Senior Guides was Josh Jardine, winner of the Rydal Round. Hannah Horsburgh, of Keswick AC, was fastest woman in the Senior Guides at 16:17. This was her second year in a row of winning the event. She said: “I didn’t find it so bad to be honest. It is my favourite kind of race, short and fast.

“It was very hot, but I enjoyed it a lot.”

Large numbers also took part in the races for younger age groups, including Ambelside Sports inaugural U9s Guides. This was won by Jamie Dent, and first girl home was Isla Bell.

The hound trailing drew the crowds, as the dogs showed their resilience, completing the course in the intense heat. The two leading dogs came in well ahead of the rest, with more than a minute to spare.

The wrestling was well competed across many classes, with the iconic Cumberland sport attracting interest from visitors from miles around. It proved to be something of a family affair, with the Brocklebank brothers featuring heavily in the competitions. Graham won the 14 stone competition, and Ben and Thomas also took home silverware.

This year also marked the first time Ambleside Sports was organised by a female chairman. Marjorie Blackburn, who is married to previous organiser Jack Blackburn, took over when her husband had to step down due to ill health. She said: “I have had a lot of encouragement from the committee, and I am very thankful that we get to have this wonderful day.

“Ambleside Sports is a unique event. We like to very much put the emphasis on traditional sports and we get a good following here because of that.

“We feel it is important to stay true to tradition and not make this a big corporate event.”

RUNNING RESULTS

TRACK

Under-17s 90m: Lisa Barlow, 10.43 seconds.

Under-17s 200m: Joe Humphries, 26.16 seconds.

Under-17s 800m: Arthur Peel, 2 minutes 18 seconds.

Senior 90m: Megan Busby-Bell, 10.16 seconds.

Senior 200m: Gordon Eland, 22.89 seconds.

Senior 400m: Jacob Aubrey (no time).

Senior 800m: Matthew Merrick, 1 minute 55 seconds.

FELLS

Guides Rydal Round: Josh Jardine, 1:23:31.

Rydal Round Women: Charlotte Watson, 1:43:22.

Under-nines guides: Jamie Dent, 5:38.

Under-nines guides girls: Isla Ball, 6:36.

Under-12s guides: Rowan Ashworth, 8:11.

Under-12s guides girls: Georgia Bell, 9:31.

Under-14s guides: Charlie Allmond, 11:43.

Under-14s guides girls: Charlotte Rawston, 14:08.

Under-17s guides: Joe Hudson, 14:54.

Under-17s guides girls: Chloe Rylance, 18:00.

Senior guides: Simon Bailey, 14:09.

Senior guides ladies: Hannah Horsburgh, 16:17.