It's been a busy time for locally-based running club Black Combe Runners recently, as they held the final race in the club's eight-race Winter Training League series last Saturday.

The 4.5-mile 1,900ft ascent Black Combe up and down race, was run in challenging underfoot conditions, from the steps by Whicham Church to the summit cairn and back.

With all the handicap results now worked out for all the races, and a members' best four to count, the overall winner was Dave Greaves, who also finished first in the final event for good measure.

A total of around 40 runners completed at least one race across the eight in this years' series.

At the Bleasdale Circle fell race in the Forest of Bowland, in north-west Lancashire, two Green and Blacks competed.

Good times were recorded by Steve Wathall (42mins 28secs) and Chris Roberts (46:21) as stormy weather made for challenging racing, even for a short duration event as this.

Sam Harrison (Bowland Fell Runners) and Finty Royle were out in front as the winners, crossing the line in 32:16 and 38:37, respectively.

At the Kendal Winter League Cunswick Scar race in the Yorkshire Dales, two BCRs made the lengthy trip to partake in this three-mile, 1,316ft ascent event in dry, but overcast conditions and both recorded good results.

Josh Murphy got round in a speedy 34:36, whilst Wathall also subbed the three-quarter hour mark at 44:31.

The winner was Lancaster & Morecambe AC's Matthew Knowles in 29:59, whilst England international Victoria Wilkinson (Bingley Harriers) won the ladies section in 34:01.

At the Maryport (Netherhall) ten-mile road race the weekend before last, BCRs Jonathan Bailey was the sole Green and Black taking part in the annual undulating event, getting a good 80:12 clocking in challenging conditions.

The winners were Ryan Galea (Netherhall AC) and Nadia Shaw (Cumberland AC) in 58:44 and 65:09, respectively.

In Keswick last Saturday, Wathall got round the Kong series winter league Loopy Latrigg three-mile fell race in 45:33 for 107th overall.

The event was won by Matlock AC's Dan Haworth with a fast 30:39, with Scout Adkin (Ambleside AC) the lady victor in 34:39.