Black Combe Runners Winter League races organiser Matt Allen is pleased by the support the competition has been getting this time around, compared to previous years, with good turnouts at every event.

Jonathan Bailey is leading for the men, with Dave Greaves hot on his heels in a close second, whilst Sue Ross is in pole position for the ladies, with Beth Ripper narrowly behind her, although this could yet change in the coming weeks.

Today, the club are racing at Broughton, starting and finishing at the old railway line path just down from the village square.

The course is a two-lap, five-mile cross-country covering parts of this path as well as nearby hilly and muddy fields. This is a free race for anyone else wishing to come along and try it out.

The penultimate Winter League race is a run up to Whin Rigg summit in Wasdale. This free handicapped race takes place next Saturday and starts at 10:30. All runners are welcome, including non-BCR members, to turn up and take part.

The final Winter League race is the Black Combe 4.5-mile, 1,900ft ascent, straight up and down fell run from Whicham Church (Silecroft), on Saturday, February 29.

This race, which is handicapped, also starts at 10:30am and the event is again open to all runners, regardless of ability, and non BCR members are more than welcome to turn up and take part. Entry is free.