On an evening where the conditions were almost perfect, a record number of 256 runners turned up for this popular race, which follows the lanes and tracks from Earby to the summit of Pinhaw and back. There were some notable performances all round. The race winner was Ben Fish. Not only did he win, but he won with a comfortable gap over the second place runner Jonathan Cleaver. At the finish he looked strong and could probably have recorded an even faster time, if he had been under pressure. Third finisher was the talented young runner from Keighley & Craven, Eric Beaumont. He was the first of four under 18 men in the top twenty and this bodes well for the future of the sport.
The ladies' race was dominated by Barlick. First home was W35 Jacqueline Collins, but quite amazingly the second home was the talented young runner Lucille Pickles who was shepherded into the funnel by the third Barlick lady, Rachel Villiers.
Fell running is not all about winning and for many, it is a personal challenge. In that respect, it was great to see old friends who always seem to have been a part of the fell running scene, in this race, such as Karen Goss of Clayton, who romped home to take the W70 prize.
The men's team prize went to Barlick Fell Runners, made up of Jonathan Cleaver, Jack Villiers and David Poole.
The ladies's team prize also went to Barlick of Jacqueline Collins, Lucille Pickles and Rachel Villiers.