MATT Allen and Rebecca Rooke are leading the way as Black Combe Runners winter race league series enters the final straight.

The series sees competitors take part in seven races between New Year's Day and the start of March and runners must complete four of them to be in with a chance of any prizes.

So far, there's been a fairly good turnout to every event, and with one race to go – up and down Black Combe on Sunday March 5 – Allen and Rooke are ahead of the pack, the latter narrowly ahead of guest runner Lyndsey Buck of CFR.

The 4.5-mile Black Combe race will see runners tackle the 1,900ft route straight up and down from Whicham Church, Silecroft, with a 10.30am start. The event is open to all runners, regardless of ability, and non-members are more than welcome to turn up and take part. Entry is free.

Black Combe runners took part in the recent Birkrigg Common race. With its hilly trail paths and excellent view of Morecambe Bay, it takes in two large laps, over a challenging six-mile distance. First back on handicap only, were Chris Roberts and Lizzie Browne, with the fastest time taken over the course, while Matt Rooke was fastest male overall.

Winter league action at Blawith featured a five-mile, 1000ft ascent race across open fell, including visiting Beacon Tarn in clear, but very cold conditions.

Outstanding efforts came from Rob Browne, Matt Allen and James Harris, while Jo Francis-Nicholls, Sue Ross and Beth Ripper had good runs for the ladies.

The introduction of a new winter league race from Gawthwaite called the Giants Grave, saw members attack a five-mile, two-lap hilly off-road loop, taking in the first bit of the bridleway to Tottlebank Farm, before climbing to Tottlebank Heights and ascending Blawith Knott. This is followed by a steep drop to join the path back to the start ready for another lap.

Results in order, on handicap basis, were: Peter Tayler, Nick Sebley, Ian Verber, Rebecca Rooke, Julian Donolley, Sue Ross, Harvey Lord, Jo Francis-Nicholls, Matthew Rooke, Chris Roberts, Paul Caine and Simon Austin. The club’s first road race counter event is the Lorton 10km from the village primary school, near Cockermouth on Saturday March 11. This is preceded by the first fell race counter event, which is this Sunday's Badger Bar Blast race from the Badger Bar, Grasmere Road, Rydal, near Ambleside.

The seven-mile, 2,300ft ascent race, which replaces the Loughrigg/Silver Howe race but still visits these fells, costs £7 to enter (including post-race food) by 11.40am before a prompt midday start. All runners need to bring full FRA safety kit requirements.