Matt Elkington ran a superb time to win Black Combe Runners’ second fell race of the year, finishing not far inside the course’s record time.

The race took place on May 15 and this year it was also a counter, towards the Club Championship. The Caw fell race from Broughton Mills was well supported by the Green & Blacks.

The event, covering six miles and a 1800ft ascent, visiting the Knott twice during this out and back run on a night blessed with good, dry conditions. The course records stayed intact, just, and numbers were also up on last year.

Ambleside AC’s Elkington won the race in 46:28, just 31 seconds adrift of Lloyd Taggart’s record time. Plenty of BCRs took part, with many also on organising duties, and all picking up useful club points.

Two BCRs were also in action at the inaugural Haverigg (Silly Hilly) half-marathon race, near Millom, last month.

Jonathan Bailey had a brilliant run with in clocking 1.42:33 and was unlucky not to win this race on his home patch, finishing in second place overall.

He was less than a minute down on Cumberland AC’s Dan Wilson (1:41.39), who took the victory, whilst holidaymaker Stephen Evans was third at 1:49.18.

The ladies winner went to Jackie Oakes in 1:50.11, with Cumberland AC’s Victoria Wilson narrowly behind for second by 26 seconds. Marion Wright took third in 1:52.05.

A number of new running club Millom Striders took part, while BCR Karl Fursey got round in 2:20.25 and the only downside to this excellently organised race was the number of runners, as just 27 took part.

On May 18, three BCRs took part in the Fairfield Horseshoe fell race from Rydal Hall. This classic Lakes race takes in 15km and over 3000ft ascent in sunny, but blustery conditions.

The race was won by Keswick AC’s Carl Bell in 80:17, with Jack Wood (Ilkley AC) second, clocking 83:08, whilst third back in a speedy 83:30 was Joe Baxter of Pudsey & Bramley AC.

The fastest woman was Kelli Roberts (Helm Hill Runners), who clocked a very respectable 91:54. She was followed in by last year’s winner and clubmate Sharon Taylor in 95:13.

For the green and black vests, some good times were posted. First back was Gavin Lloyd in 1:51.40. He was followed in by Julian Donnelly (2:01.36) and Phil Clayton (2:09.13).

Fursey took part in the annual Keswick to Barrow charity walk for the 16th consecutive year. He clocked a sedate 11:05.18 for the revised 37.5-mile route, shortened this year due to storm damage in the Thirlmere area.