Black Combe Runners’ Josh Hartley has been in great form with a series of impressive performances coming from the fell runner.

At the Birkrigg Common hill race, which is part of the Kendal winter league race series, Hartley had a good run over the three-mile course to finish in the top ten with his time of 21mins 48secs allowing his to finish third overall, just 62 seconds down on winner Matthew Knowles (Lancaster and Morecambe AC).

His clubmate Josh Murphy also finished in the top ten with his 23:43 clocking.

At the Giggleswick School fell race, also part of the Kendal winter league series, Hartley was superb over the 6km course, as he came back to finish in second place in 24:07 clocking.

Murphy wasn’t far behind, arriving just 130 seconds later, while Steve Wathall posted 33:11 and was third MV60 in a race won again by Knowles in 22:37.

Prior to that, Hartley ran at Scout Scar, just outside of Kendal, over a 7km course, and there was a record number of 292 adult entries taking part.

Hartley had a great run to finish fourth (and first BCR) overall in a cracking time of 29:25, just 122 seconds behind the winner Knowles (27:23).

Murphy also finished in the top 20 overall with his 31:28 clocking, Gavin Lloyd posted 34:28 and Wathall subbed the 40-minute barrier by three seconds. Chris Roberts (42:18) also ran well.

The BCR six-mile, two-lap Winter League race at Birkrigg and Sea Wood, near Ulverston saw more action as 16 members took part.

All times are handicapped and first back on this category was Dave Greaves, who clocked 73:11. Harry Stainton finished in 73:29, although he did record the fastest time over the course at 38:29 on scratch.

Jonathan Bailey also finished in the top five with his 73:45 posting, just edging out Sue Ross by 27 seconds. John Shevelan was in touch at 74:18, with Viv Riley very closely after in 74:19.

Lizzie Browne got round in 74:20, although she was quickest lady over the ground, in 43:20 on scratch. Other times were Matthew Allen (74:47), Jackie Casey (74:52), Wathall (75:52), Nick Sebley (76:23), Brian Houghton (76:28), Beth Ripper (77:23), Chris Fellowes (78:25), Sue Lomas (79:24) and William Ross (82:03).

At the Stybarrow Dodd fell race, which took place in pretty atrocious weather, Wathall was the sole male Green & Black vest taking part and he got round in 50:13.

Meanwhile, Jackie Casey was flying the flag for the BCR ladies with her 53:04 clocking. The winner was Mark Lamb (Keswick AC) in 33:03.