Last updated at 15:45, Wednesday, 18 November 2009

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IT’S a good job teenager Tom Addison is a trainee cabinet maker – he needs somewhere to keep all his trophies.

The 19-year-old added to his growing reputation – and trophy collection – by winning Saturday’s Dunnerdale Fell Race.

The young Kendal-based runner – wearing the green colours of his club Helm Hill – was to the fore of the race from the gun.

He and fellow internationals Ricky Lightfoot, from West Cumbrian club Ellenborough, and Lloyd Taggart, from Derbyshire outfit Dark Peak, broke away from the pack on the first climb to the summit of The Knott.

The trio ran together over the rugged Raven Crag and down the path – which due to recent rains resembled something more akin to a small river – to the road crossing at the top of the Dunnerdale valley.

Feeling strong, Addison – who up until this point had sat in behind his two rivals – made his move on the steep climb up to the top of Stickle Pike and checkpoint three.

He managed to drop Lightfoot, but Taggart – a wily veteran who won the race in 2007 – was proving harder to shake off.

The two chose differing routes to the last checkpoint on the summit of Great Stickle, with Addison gaining a 15-second advantage.

Taggart, however, wasn’t finished yet and descended at break-neck speed to catch Addison once again on the final road section to the finish.

Eyeing potentially the biggest race victory of his young fell running career, the teenager gave it one last shot and this time finally managed to break his more experienced rival.

Addison crossed the finish line outside the Blacksmiths Arms pub in a time of 39 minutes and 36 seconds.

His winning time was good given the heavy rain, wind and boggy underfoot conditions, but was still over three-and-a-half minutes outside the course record, set 18 years ago by Keith Anderson.

Taggart arrived home six seconds in arrears, with Lightfoot – who has spent the summer competing in high altitude mountain races across the world – third in 40:28.

The team prize was won by Helm Hill, with Addison backed-up by cousin Mark Addison (11th, 43:09) and Ulverston-based 16-year-old Tom Doyle (19th, 45:26).

Addison, who works for Peter Hall & Son in Staveley, said: “I gave it everything in the closing stages as the adrenaline kicked in and I realised I might actually be able to win the race.

“I was so surprised, I didn’t expect to beat Lloyd and Ricky, it’s definitely one of my best-ever wins.

“I’ve been doing this race since I was 16 and is one of those I’ve always dreamed of winning.

“I was third last year, and am delighted to have won it this time round.”

The women’s race was won by in-form Jane Reedy, of Ambleside Athletics Club, who overhauled hugely-talented 16-year-old Melanie Hyder, of Helm Hill, on the descent.

Reedy placed 35th overall in 48:12, with Hyder just 10 seconds adrift.

Organising club Black Combe Runners fielded 24 runners in the race.

First back for the local club was Pete Tayler (51st, 50:47). First woman from the Black Combe club to finish was Susan Hodkinson (138th, 59:02).

First published at 13:12, Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk