Josh Hartley of Black Combe Runners produced a superb run to finish second at the Kirkby gala earlier in the month during what was another busy period for the club’s athletes.

The gala, which is held annually over a 4.5-mile distance, saw Charlie Ing (Calder Valley Fell runners) win the men’s race with a good time of 31minutes four seconds.

Hartley, who was Black Combe Runners’ sole representative was runner-up just 52 seconds later and third was Tom Millard (Wharfedale Harriers), who was closely behind with 33:00.

The ladies race was won by Kirsty Hall (Ribble Valley Harriers), as she clocked 40:28 with Pippa Barrett coming in with 42:56 in second and in third was Caroline Harding (Pudsey & Bramley) who recorded a time of 46:25.

Also taking place last month was the Coniston Gullies BOFRA fell race, which is over a mile in length but the 1000ft ascent and descent involved, including the infamous sheer drop down, makes it challenging.

Experienced Ambleside AC member Matthew Elkington made it look easy by taking the tape in a good 14:17, though he was made to work for it by Simon Bailey (Mercia Fell Runners) who was just nine seconds behind. Rhys Findlay-Robinson took third spot over a minute later.

The ladies race was won by Bianca Dyer (Helm Hill Runners) in 19:49, followed very closely by Rachel Pilling (Pudsey & Bramley) who ran agonisingly close, finishing just five seconds adrift.

Another event which took place was the Haverigg (lighthouse) 10km road race. Runners took part over the undulating course, which started at the Ski Bar in Port Haverigg Holiday Village and finished along the seawall just past the 100-plus-year-old redundant lighthouse.

The fastest time of the day went to holidaymaker Joe Beech who clocked 34:25, whilst local Haverigg resident David Fulford of Glaxo Hoad Hill Harriers got back for second place overall in a time of 36:29. In third place overall was BCR’s own Gavin Lloyd,who clocked a good 42:20.

Natalie McCarron (Cumberland AC) was the first lady to finish, clocking 43:10 to finish fourth overall. Other BCR times saw Karl Fursey post his best 10k time so far this year with a superb 57:55.