Black Combe Runner Alice Forster was the third-fastest woman at the Coniston Horseshoe fell race over the Bank Holiday weekend during what has been another busy period for the club.

The 8.7-mile, 3494ft ascent Coniston Horseshoe was held very good conditions for running and leading the pack of 312 runners was Bingley Harriers’ Ian Holmes along with Rob Jebb (Helm Hill Harriers)

The lead changed several times before Jebb’s stunning sprint finish secured him another Cumbrian fell race triumph, coming home in a very satisfying 73:11, with Holmes arriving just eight seconds later.

There was no need for a sprint finish in the ladies race, as Helm Hill Harrier Sharon Taylor dominated proceedings with a good 89:03, over two minutes clear of Ambleside AC’s Lou Roberts (91:17), with Forster the third lady to cross the finish line 46 seconds later.

For BCR, this was a club championship counter and the Green and Blacks were well represented by the other 11 members who took part, and first back in a speedy 88:55 was Simon Rodger, keeping Matthew Allen at bay by a good three minutes (92:13).

Also clocking good times were Gavin Lloyd (93:47), last year’s ladies victor Sarah Pike (1:41.17), Nick Sebley (1:46.23), Julian Donnelly (1:48.16), Phil Clayton (1:49.06), Peter Tayler was pleased with his 1:49.15, and two minutes later Susan Ross arrived for 1:51.33. Patrick McIver recorded 1:53.27 and Jonathan Bailey clocked 2:06.12.

The latest British Championship counter fell race took place over the last weekend of April at the Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland when many runners took part in the 9.5-mile, 4265ft ascent Mourne Highline race.

Just one BCR raced in the very cool conditions, as Steve Wathall decided to make the long journey and was rewarded with a 96:49 clocking.

At the Dalton-in-Furness 10km road race earlier this month, another BCR club championship counter event, Karl Fursey was the sole representative there for the Green and Blacks, as most other members were saving themselves for the Coniston fell race the next day.

He got round in 59:01, with Ross Campbell of Barrow and Furness Striders AC the victor in 33:12, whilst Charlotte Ward (Hallamshire University Running Club) was first lady at 37:28.

At the Wray Caton Moor trail/fell race, near Lancaster, on Bank Holiday Monday, Chris Roberts was the sole BCR taking part in a field of 130 runners for this 6.8-mile, 1100ft ascent event and he finished in 85th position, clocking 61:40.

As expected, Carl Bell of Keswick AC scooped yet another victory under his impressive belt of wins, made more sweeter by the 39:59 clocking which was a new course record too.

The ladies victor was Hannah Kallenberg of Wharfedale Harriers in 49:40.