Black Combe Runners had a good result at the Hodgson Brothers Mountain relay when the clubs’ mixed team finished second in their category, and 24th overall out of 70 teams.

For the 25-mile, 8,400ft ascent four-legged relay route from Patterdale, BCR clocked a very respectable 4hrs 30mins 05secs in poor conditions, which also meant navigation was at a premium on the misty summits.

Leg one runners John Evason and Rebecca Gledhill got back in 33rd position overall, posting 46:47, before handing over to Harvey Lord and Anna Lupton, who were 27th for leg two, clocking 81:47.

They handing over to Alice Forster and Hollie Orr and despite only gaining two places, recording 61:34, BCR were still up there with the top clubs as Tim Ripper and Josh Hartley had the honour of running the anchor leg where many places can be won or lost.

Thanks to a sterling performance from the duo, another six positions gained here meant they finished 19th for this leg, clocking 79:57.

BCR also fielded a men’s veterans team who finished in 54th position, and the runners taking part were Steve Wathall and Nick Sebley (51:18), Peter Coupe and Phil Clayton (99:19), William Ross and Patrick McIver (71:53), whilst John millen and Dan Hartley took charge of the anchor leg, recording 1:40.19, giving them an overall time of 5:23.01.

Keswick AC open men’s team won, clocking 3:36.33, with Helm Hill Runners were the leading ladies team, arriving back in 4:39.38.

BCR members converged on the Old Dungeon Ghyll hotel, where a healthy field of 396 runners toed the line for the Langdale Horseshoe, a 14-mile, 4,600ft ascent race, taking in the likes of Thunacre Knott, Bowfell, Crinkle Crags and Pike ‘O Blisco.

Weather conditions were much better than last year’s deluge and strong winds and this was reflected in the winning time of 2:00.51 by Finlay Wild of Lochaber AC, just outside the 1977 course record of 1hr 55m.

Only four BCRs took part, with Lord the first Green & Black returning in 2:32.25 to finish a brilliant 39th overall.

John Millen clocked 2:51.58 with Lupton very closely behind arriving just 18 seconds later. Steve Wathall was pleased with his 3:48.46 timing.

There were 377 finishers and the ladies victor was Helm Hill Runners’ Kelli Roberts in 2:32.22.

Phil Clayton flew the flag for BCR at the Bronte Way fell race by clocking a very respectable 76:52 in an event won by Robin Howie (Wharfedale Harriers) and Emma Clayton (Leeds City AC) in 52:58 and 61:16 respectively.