BLACK Combe Runners are back in their stride for 2017 after a brace of winter training league races.

The first of the handicapped events saw athletes complete the 5.7-mile Po House circuit road race, from Beckside Farm in the Whicham Valley.

The tough, undulating and hilly run, mostly on minor country lanes, was well supported, with 12 runners, including some guests, toeing the line in cold and sunny conditions.

Guest runner Jane Dore set a strong pace which no-one could overhaul on handicap, while the fastest time came from Matthew Allen, who clocked 42:57.

The second race was the Broughton-in-Furness two-lap cross-country, starting and finishing at the gate of the old railway line, just yards from the village square.

In good conditions, a strong turnout of 23 members and guests enjoyed the race, with the spoils going to Ian Verber, who got round in a handicapped time of 55:56 – with an additional minute added to his handicap after Po House.

The fastest time was set by England runner Lizzie Browne in a stunning 31:58 – coming soon after she set the course record for Millom Park Run.

The next winter training league race, is the Seawood two-lap multi-terrain six-miler, just outside Ulverston, on Sunday, January 29.

It will be followed by the Blawith Fell and multi-terrain run on Torver Common on February 12. Both start at 10.30am.

The races are open to non-club members and there is no entry fee.

The club have finalised their Fell Championships counter races for 2017, with five of 12 results – with at least one from each race length category – counting.

The races are: Badger Bar Blast (medium, February 26); Loughrigg (short, April 19); Coniston (medium, April 29); Eskdale Elevation (long, May 6); Duddon (long, June 3); Ennerdale horseshoe (long, June 10); Blisco Dash (short, July 19); Lakeland Country Fair (short, Aug 20: Bootle Show Black Combe (medium, August 28); Scafell Pike (short, September 23); Langdale Horseshoe (long, October 7); and Kirkby Moor (medium, November 25).

The road championships counter series is as follows: Lorton 10k (medium, March 11); Coniston 14 (long, March 25); Windermere Marathon (long, May 21); Caton Gala Windmill Race 10 Mile (long, June 10); Endmoor 10k (medium, July 5); Glaxo Summer 10k (medium, August 9); Ulverston Hoad Half-marathon (long, August 13); Glaxo Autumn 5k (short, September 6); and Allithwaite 8 (medium, October 28).

The Black Combe Runners annual general meeting takes place on Tuesday, January 31, at Kepplewray, Broughton.