Rhys Findlay-Robinson and Sharon Taylor were the men's and women's winners of this year's Black Combe Fell Race, in which 167 runners took part.

The race, organised by Black Combe Runners, covered 8.2 miles and a lofty 3,281ft ascent from Silecroft and was the first tester for many of the country's leading fellsmen and women as they aim to get themselves fully fit for the major races later this season.

Out of those who started, 159 completed the tough course. All runners had to visit Seaness, Black Combe, White Combe before everyone had to climb back up Black Combe to visit the last checkpoint at South summit before the fast downhill back to the finish field next to the main road, just outside the village.

The weather was very foggy with exceptionally poor visibility on the majority of the race route above 200m, making for some interesting times.

Fastest, but outside the course record, was Findlay-Robinson, who clocked a very speedy 76mins 54secs in the challenging conditions.

Black Combe Runners' Josh Hartley and Rob Jebb (Helm Hill Runners) were in hot pursuit, but despite Hartley giving Findlay-Robinson a run for his money, the latter edged further away on the long climb up to south summit and the final descent

It was left to these two to fight it out for second and third and Hartley took second spot by clocking 77:10, with Jebb a further 50 seconds in arrears, although he did claim the first MV40 prize in 78:00.

Helm Hill Runner's Lewis Bowness took the first MU23 prize in a very creditable 80:20, and finished seventh overall.

Taylor (Helm Hill Runners) was the first woman back to Silecroft in 83:42, ahead of Ambleside AC's Beth Hanson (91:50), who pipped Todmorden AC's Annie Roberts by 122 seconds for third.

First MV50 went to Bowland Fell Runner's Mark Chippendale (84:44), while his clubmate Mike Johnson collected first MV60 prize in 92:08.

John Taylor of the same club picked up the first MV70 prize in a time of 2:02.56 which was good enough to finish 124th overall.

First female vet 50 prize went to Bowland Fell Runners' Rowena Browne (1:47.18), while Wendy Dodds (Dallam Running Club) scooped the LV60 prize in 1:55.38. Lesley Malarkey (Keswick AC) picked up the FV70 prize in 2:13.13.