Last updated 19:41, Thursday, 12 June 2008

GREAT weather and a congested fixture structure forced some tough choices on West Cumberland Orienteers.

Mhairi Mackenzie performed well at the World Championships selection races at Brown Clee near Ludlow.

A second in the middle distance race on Weston Heath (4.9km with 190m climb) in 39.30, along with a fifth on the long distance race (9.5km with 320m climb) in 76.13, have assured her of selection.

She will be well pleased with a place on the GB team for the World University Championships in Estonia at the end of July.

Also at Brown Clee were Susan Skinner, second on W40L in 63.20, Alan Irving, third on W40L in 87.22, and Hannah Skinner, fifth on W14A in 63.53.

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon, held at Glenfinnan, west of Fort William, attracted two teams.

Margaret Mackenzie and Roger Jackson finished first mixed vets and 34th overall out of 135 teams on the gruelling C course. They beat club members (vets) Malcolm Ruckledge and David Downes in very hot and gloriously sunny conditions.

The Cumbrian Galoppen in Millom Park had a depleted club team but star performer, Lewis Taylor, took second on the blue course. Charlotte Watson also ran well to take fifth, just five minutes slower.

The weekly evening event was in Wasdale on the shores of Wastwater, again in glorious weather. Navigation had to be accurate, and Michael Noblett showed how it was done with a blistering 28.23 for the 4.5km long course.

Alan Irving was second while Graham Hemingway produced a well-deserved fifth. Hannah Bradley ran well on the short, taking fourth and first junior.

Details of the summer series can be found on the website www.wcoc.org.uk or close to each Thursday on the answerphone 01768 895539.

There are courses for all abilities and pupils from the school league events will find something for them as well.

Wasdale results (top fives)- Long: 1, Michael Noblett 28.23; 2, Alan Irving 32.21; 3, Chris Heppenstall 33.00; 4, Andrew Bradley 33.51; 5, Graham Hemingway 34.33.

Short: 1, Malcolm Ruckledge 36.56; 2, Christopher Hemingway 37.29; 3, Kim Leslie 37.48; 4, Hannah Bradley 38.02; 5, Kate Charles 39.21.

Easy: 1, Emily Hick 19.19; 2, Meghan Avery 19.25; 3, Ruth Jennings 33.18; 4, Philip Jennings 54.39.

Millom results - Blue: 2, Lewis Taylor 55.32; 5, Charlotte Watson 60.48; 15, Howard Leslie 70.59; 18, Ian Buxton 77.46; 23, Graham Hemingway 81.16; 33, Syd Thomas 110.45. Brown: 5, Graham Watson 99.53.

Green: 7, Kim Leslie 60.58; 12, Joyce Hemingway 71.09; 15, Brian Wilson 73.27; 16, Ged Hagan 74.36; 18, John Calvert 76.33; 21, Colin Southall 79.02.

Light green: 3, Natalie Burns 45.35; 9, Barnaby Angus-Southall 57.27; 17, Katrina Hemingway 67.02; 19, Margaret Calvert 67.57; 26, Gwen Rea 80.38; 31, Margaret Angus 105.36.

Orange: 2, Paul Eaton 46.12; 8, Alice Rea 85.27.