THE sound of fast footsteps could be heard through the streets of Ulverston yesterday morning as Glaxo Hoad Hill Harriers hosted its annual Christmas Pudding 10k and one-mile fun.

An excellent turnout of around 250 runners took part in what is the last race of the club's 30th anniversary year, with Mark Walsh of Ellenborough AC claiming the glory ahead of local pair Ross Campbell and defending champion Dave Fulford.

The course heads from the sports club through the streets of South Ulverston and then along Priory Road to Conisihead Priory and back, on a flat and fast course, which was contested in glorious winter sunshine.

With course records and PBs at stake, the field comprised a range of seasoned athletes, first-timers and experienced club runners from as far away as Ireland.
Walsh flew round the course to win in 31.59 - missing out on the course record by little over a minute.

He was followed home by Barrow and Furness Striders ace Campbell in 33.21 - finishing runner-up for the second year running - and outstanding Hoad Hill athlete Fulford in 33.30.

The Striders' 58-year-old GB Masters regular Bob Atkinson landed fifth place in 34.07, while Ulverston Tri Club flier Duncan Eley came eighth in 35.19, while Harvey Lord of Black Combe Runners was ninth in 35.26.

The women's race was won by Saltaire Striders runner Hannah Oldroyd, who crossed the line in 37.45. She was followed by Joanne Goorwey from Lytham St Annes RR in 39.50, with Helm Hill's Catherine Slater third in 41.20.

Winner of the one-mile fun run was Walney Wind Cheetahs Greg Barnard-Mackenzie, in six minutes and 16 seconds.

Race director Louise Thompson said: "Thank-you to everyone who took part from Glaxo Hoad Hill Harriers. We look forward to seeing you all next year."

TOP 40 FINISHERS

1, 31:59 Walsh Mark Ellenborough AC; 2, 33:21 Campbell Ross Barrow & Furness Striders; 3, 33:30 Fulford David Hoad Hill Harriers; 4, 33:53 Maddams Russell Border Harriers; 5, 34:07 Atkinson Bob Barrow & Furness Striders; 6, 35:07 Rowlands Kieran Lancaster & Morecambe AC; 7, 35:16 Weston Stephen DH Runners; 8, 35:19 Eley Duncan Ulverston Tri Club; 9, 35:26 Lord Harvey Black Combe Runners; 10, 35:44 Harkness Ian DH Runners; 11, 36:10 Wilson Matt Kendal AC; 12, 36:13 Stobbart Shane Cumberland AC; 13, 36:13 Jarving Michael DH Runners; 14, 36:15 Hartley Josh; 15, 36:56 Gray Nathan Cumberland AC; 16, 37:02 Wilson Richard Kendal AC; 17, 37:03 Dillon Josh; 18, 37:20 Barlow Lee Wesham RR; 19, 37:45 Oldroyd Hannah Saltaire Striders; 20, 37:54 Cockbain Neil; 21, 37:58 Wallace Kevin Cumberland AC; 22, 38:20 Tomkinson Mark Hoad Hill Harriers; 23, 39:12 Chadwick Jeffrey Hoad Hill Harriers; 24, 39:14 Jackson Andy Hoad Hill Harriers; 25, 39:27 Baron James Helm Hill Runners; 26, 39:35 Darby Steve UK Netrunners; 27, 39:36 Woodhead David Parkside Panthers; 28, 39:44 Meskinmon Dudrew Dewsbury RR; 29, 39:49 Jones Joshua Barrow Boxing Club; 30, 39:50 Goorwey Joanna Lytham St Annes RR; 31, 39:51 Briscoe Antony; 32, 39:55 Crook Ian Barrow & Furness Striders; 33, 40:12 Southward Tom Hoad Hill Harriers; 34, 40:46 Robinson Sean Howgill Harriers; 35, 40:52 McAllister Will Parkside Panthers; 36, 40:56 Bennett Peter Cumberland AC; 37, 41:20 Slater Catherine Helm Hill Runners; 38, 41:31 Ramsay Martin Helm Hill Runners; 39, 41:34 Batty Steven Walney Wind Cheetahs; 40, 41:45 Walsh Michael Kendal AC.