Following a very successful 2019 for Black Combe Runners, the attention has shifted this month to the club's own Winter Training League races, with the first two of the eight handicapped events so far completed.

Kicking off the series was the New Year's Day five-mile, 1,800 ft ascent Dunnerdale fell race route, which started from the village hall at Broughton Mills.

The race was well supported with 20 runners, including some guests, toeing the line in rather cloudy conditions.

As this was a handicapped race the slowest runners went first, meaning anyone was in with a chance of being first back on handicap, even if they were well down on the actual time taken to cover the ground.

The handicapped times were as follows: Lizzie Browne 74:05, (she was also the quickest female over the ground at 52:35 on actual time) Josh Hartley 75:13, (he was quickest male over the course at 41:43 on actual time), Harry Stainton 75:23, Beth Ripper 76:09, Tim Ripper 76:55, Matthew Allen 77;13, Sarah Pike 77:14, John Parminter 78:30, Nick Sebley 78:40, Peter Tayler 78:50, guest runner Jeff Bailey 78:57, James Goffe 79:11, Jackie Casey 80:49, Sue Ross 81:09, Jonathan Bailey 83:04, Viv Riley, 83:20, Sue Lomas 84:21, Peter Grayson 85:18, Karl Fursey 85:30 and Hazel Tayler 87:28.

The second race was the Giant's Grave/Tottlebank two-lap, five-miler over a multi-terrain course from the top of Gawthwaite near Broughton Beck.

A strong turnout of 17 members and guest runners all enjoyed the race with guest runner Dave Greaves posting the fastest handicapped time of 65:13.

The other handicapped times are as follows: Jonathan Bailey 65:58, John Millen 66:09, (he was the quickest over the course with a scratch time of 40:09) Jackie Casey 66:17, Matt Allen 66:47, Hazel Tayler 67:10, Tim Ripper 67:25, guest runner Brian Houghton 67:48, Viv Riley 67:56, Peter Tayler 69:22, John Shevelan 69:46, Chris Fellowes 69:53, Nick Sebley 69:55, Sue Lomas 70:06, Sue Ross 71:58, John Evason 73:40 and Browne 79:07 (she was the quickest female over the ground at 40:37, just 28 seconds down on Millen).

The final five BCR Winter Training League races, all with 10:30am starts on Saturdays, are the Birkrigg/Sea Wood two-lap multi-terrain six-mile loop today which is followed by the Blawith Malarkey two-lap 9km fell and trail over Torver common next week.

The series moves on to a two-lap five-mile cross-country run at Broughton on February 15 before taking in Whin Rigg the following week and the Black Combe 4.5-mile, 1,800ft ascent fell race from Whicham Church will bring the curtain down on February 29.