HOLLIE Orr led the way for Black Combe Runners at the latest English Championship counter fell race with a sixth-place finish in the ladies’ event around Cautley Horseshoe, near Sedburgh.

Orr came home in a time of 56mins 47 secs, closely followed by Alice Forster, eight seconds under the hour, with Anna Lupton clocking 1hr 4mins.

The men’s race was run separately and first back for BCR was Edward Gleadowe in a good 48.38. He was closely followed by Josh Hartley at 51.34, with Matthew Rooke in touch, clocking 54.37.

Other times were John Evason (59.30), Martin Currie (1:02.03), Rob Browne (1:02.48), Dan Hartley (1:03.33) and Phil Clayton (1:07.09).

Rooke took maximum points in the club championship competition with his strong showing at the 10k Orton fell race near Tebay, finishing in 48.03.

However, he was pushed all the way by John Evason, who narrowly missed out on being first BCR member back by just three seconds.

Nick Sebley came in below the hour in 53.53, as did Chris Roberts – by 22 seconds. Meanwhile, Sophie Roberts clocked 1:15.06.

Four Black Combe Runners tackled the popular but challenging fell race from the Three Shires Inn at Little Langdale, which covers 12.4 miles and features 4,000-plus feet of ascent.

James Harris was first back, coming home in 2:13.35 and was 21st overall. One more green and black vest beat the three-hour mark as William Ross clocking 2:55.58. Next came Susan Ross (3:16.30) and James Goffe at 3:27.48.

Meanwhile, Ambleside AC’s Jack Wright was one of only three runners to break the two-hour barrier with his time of 1:59.05, which was good enough for a place on the podium.

The Lake District mountain trial races saw two BCRs compete. In the medium length course, Jane Hornsby got round in 7:09.57, while the classic long course saw Harris finish 15th overall in a good 5:33.10.

Mike Jewell has been taking on some stiff challenges on his own, being the only Black Combe member to tackle the Ben Nevis fell race, which covered 10 miles and 4,400 feet of ascent.

He completed that in 2:34.45, followed by clocking 1:23.58 as the only BCR representative in the Scafell Pike fell race around a 4.5-mile, 3,000ft ascent course.

Elsewhere, Harris came home in 58.25 at Rosthwaite Show and Phil Clayton managed the Burnsall Classic fell race in 21.08.

The next races in the BCR club championships are any Saturday Park Runs at Barrow or Fell Foot (Newby Bridge) up to December 8, but only the best result counts from each venue, no matter how many a member does.

The Allithwaite 8 multi-terrain race, near Grange-over-Sands, is the next main event at 11am on Saturday, November 3. Entry is available in advance or on the day.