A LEGENDARY fell runner has been named president of the junior world mountain running championships in the Lake District this summer.

Kenny Stuart, a former world champion from Threlkeld near Keswick, was the dominant figure in British fell running in the 80s - winning the global title in Italy in 1985.

Stuart was also a three-time British fell running champion, setting course records in classic events such as Ben Nevis, Snowdon and Skiddaw which still stand today.

Stuart was also a successful road runner who set a personal best of 2.11.36 when finishing second in the 1989 Houston Marathon.

His athletics career came to a premature end as a result of persistent allergy problems. Having previously given up his job to concentrate full time on his running career, Kenny then returned to college to study horticulture and is now works as a horticultural technician.

Kenny married champion fell runner Pauline Haworth and their children Matthew, Emma and Rosie all competed successfully in junior fell races.

He will be president of the local organising committee in Ambleside where the junior international races will be staged in June and will award the prizes.

Young athletes will enter from more than 20 different countries.

For more details see https://www.amblesidemountaincup.com