The Black Combe Fell Race was the first tester for many of the country’s leading fell runners.

Organised by the Black Combe Runners, it covered 8.2 miles and a lofty 3281-ft ascent from Silecroft.

Out of 167 athletes who started, 159 completed the tough course.

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

Black Combe Runners’ Josh Hartley and Rob Jebb of Helm Hill Runners were also in pursuit, with the former taking second clocking 77:10 and Jebb a further 50 seconds behind, although he did claim the first MV40 prize.

Helm Hill Runners Lewis Bowness took the first MU23 prize in a very creditable 80:20, finished seventh overall and took the prize for the fastest descent from south summit to the finish in an exceptional nine minutes 39seconds for the two-mile downhill, with Annie Roberts of Todmorden Harriers, clocking 10:57, the quickest female descender.

First female back at Silecroft went to Sharon Taylor of Helm Hill Runners in 83:42, also first FV40. Second lady back was Ambleside AC’s Beth Hanson clocking 91:50, pipping Roberts by just over two minutes for third.

First MV50 went to Bowland Fell Runners' Mark Chippendale (84:44), while club-mate Mike Johnson collected first MV60 prize with a 92:08 clocking.

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 clocking 1:47.18, while Wendy Dodds of Dallam Running Club scooped the LV60 prize in 1.55:38. Lesley Malarkey of Keswick AC picked up the FV70 prize in 2:13.13.

This year there will be an additional prize awarded to the quickest male and female taking part in all four BCR-organised fell races, with Caw (May 13), Dunnerdale (November 14) and Kirkby Moor (November 28) still to come and the best aggregate score for all four races on finishing time taken.

The race was not a BCR Club Championship counter event this year.

However, their own event was well supported by the other 19 members taking part, second of whom returning to Silecroft in a very speedy 78:54 was Harry Stainton. He was fourth overall at this event.

Results can be found online at www.bcrunners.org.uk