Published at 19:31, Thursday, 05 February 2009

LAST Sunday in a calm weather window before the snow storm West Cumberland Orienteers took nine wins at the regional event on Bethecar Moor.

With 450 competitors from all over the north of England and the highly technical moorland in perfect condition the competition was intense.

Graham Hemingway had a superb run to take first on JM5M with a margin of four minutes. Rosie Watson had a close second on JW5S with a large margin over third place.

Katrina Hemingway took second on JW4 in a very strong field, just two minutes adrift.

Alastair Thomas (M8), back on form, had a great win on JM2.

Michael Billinghurst, returning from injury, had a comfortable win on M45L, as did Alan Irving on M40L, and Roger Thomas M45S.

The ladies fared well, with Helen Winskill winning W35L, Susan Skinner first on W45L, along with Debbie Thompson W50L and Lynne Thomas W35S.

The Thursday night event was staged in the forest at the top of Whinlatter, at Seat How. Very technical orienteering in low-visibility forest gave the ultimate challenge for the runners.

Quite a few had to retire, beaten by the complex terrain. Many competitors had stories to tell, with all finding the challenge exhilarating.

Michael Billinghurst and Graham Hemingway, on the long, showed how it should be done, with impressive running.

Hannah Bradley, in similar conditions on the short, showed why she is leading the league, with an outstanding run, some five minutes clear of second-placed Michael Green.

The winter series continues throughout February. The details of all venues can be found on the website www.wcoc.co.uk and on the answerphone 01768 895539.

The second Cumbrian Galoppen event will be held on Latrigg and Greta Gorge on the morning of Sunday, February 22. There will be courses for all ages and all abilities.

Bethecar results – JM5M: 1, Graham Hemingway 49.07. JM2: 1, Alastair Thomas 26.39. JW3: 5, Heather Wornham 41.56; 6, Kate Skinner 45.35; 8, Alice Rea 52.47.

JW4: 2, Katrina Hemingway 35.21; 6, Hannah Bradley 46.47. JW5S: 2, Rosie Watson 41.10. JW5L: 3, Charlotte Watson 65.40.

M21L: 4, Phil Winskill 76.18. M40L: 1, Alan Irving 66.18. M45L: 1, Michael Billinghurst 57.56; 5, Martin Skinner 67.37; 9, Graham Watson 71.34; 19, John Taylor 89.58.

M45S: 1, Roger Thomas 54.05. M50S: 4, Paul Tickner 91.34. M55L: 12, David Downes 79.08.

M60L: 8, Roger Jackson 72.38; 12, Steve Sullivan 89.55; 15, Colin Southall 106.11. M65L: 6, Dave Fenwick 66.07.

W35L: 1, Helen Winskill 59.49. W35S: 1, Lynne Thomas 56.11. W45L: 1, Susan Skinner 58.25; 4, Margaret Mackenzie 67.25; 5, Kim Leslie 71.41; 10, Debbie Watson 80.07; 12, Melanie Bradley 82.52.

W50L: 1, Debbie Thompson 50.55; 4, Penny Bibby 61.01; 12, Ann Cummings 77.56; 14, Jayne Malley 83.07. W55L: 4, Annette Milburn 71.38. W65L: 6, Marguerite Pennell 109.02.

W75: 2, Vera Parkins 70.50 Light green: 11, Gwen Rea 69.10; 15, Margaret Angus 91.50.

Seat How results – Long: 1, Michael Billinghurst 59.02; 2, Graham Hemingway 61.27; 3, David Downes 64.38; 4, Kim Collison 64.43; 5, Howard Leslie 67.25; 6, Charlotte Watson 69.41; 7, Chris Naylor 69.57; 8, Alan Irving 70.59; 9, Pete Nelson 73.01; 10, Jeff Goodwin 73.08; 11, Rosie Watson 79.33; 12, Julian Lailey 80.40; 13, Margaret Mackenzie 84.44; 14, Graham Watson 85.13; 15, Jeff Powell-Davies 86.30; 16, John Taylor 89.31; 17, Mike Harrison 100.28; 18, Chris Emerson 119.28.

Short: 1, Hannah Bradley 47.50; 2, Michael Green 53.24; 3, Andrew Warner 55.40; 4, Annette Milburn 56.25; 5, Joyce Hemingway 56.33; 6, Katrina Hemingway 63.18; 7, Jayne Malley 68.00; 8, Angela Ball 75.31; 9, Barbara Nelson 77.03; 10, David LeBoutillier 78.24; 11, Bethan Mason 80.21; 12, Tony Pennick 86.17; 13, Diana McClure 91.33; 14, Julia Tucker 108.17.

Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk