A STRONG, freezing wind made conditions even more punishing for athletes competing in the fifth race of the Kendal Winter League series over a steep out and back course at Barbondale.

Howgill's Peter Brittleton turned at the summit in first place and held on to his lead on the precipitous descent back into the valley bottom, holding off Helm Hill's Alastair Dunn to win by 22 seconds.Helm Hill's Billy Procter was first veteran in third place.

Tail-enders got caught in a sleet storm that made descending even more tricky.

Settle's Karen Slater set a new record in the women's race and her daughter, Sheryl, registered a new best-ever mark in the girls U17 event.

Adam Crowe chased the leading senior runners up the fell to clock a new U17 record while Gemma Crowther and Jenny Addison registered record times in winning the U14 and U12 girls races.

Tom Addison led the U14 race virtually to the turn when his Helm Hill team-mate Ryan Thornborrow took over and used his superior descending speed to build up a 30 second lead at the finish. Meanwhile, Jonathan Wright continued his dominance in the boys U12 event winning his fifth successive race beating Jamie Stewart by five seconds in the closest finish of the day.

RESULTS: Senior men: 1 P Brittleton, Howgill, 22-07; 2 A Dunn, Helm Hill, 22-29; 3 B Procter, Helm Hill, 22-38; 4 E Nash, Kendal, 23-03; 5 Q Harding, Bowland, 23-11; 6 J Deegan, Ambleside, 23-12. Ladies: 1 K Slater, Settle, 28-46; 2 S Harding, Bowland, 31-31; 3 N Slater, Settle, 37-24. Boys U17: 1 A Crowe, unattached, 17-38; 2 T Rodgers, Settle, 18-13. Girls U17: 1 S Slater, Settle, 21-39; 2 J Oates, Helm Hill, 22-122; 3 S Morphet, 31-36. Boys U14: 1 R Thornborrow, Helm Hill, 7-14; 2 T Addison, Helm Hill, 7-44; 3 M Kenyon, 7-55. Girls U14: 1 G Crowther, Helm Hill, 9-09; 2 K Robinson, Helm Hill, 10-55. Boys U12: 1 J Wright, Helm Hill, 5-47; 2 J Stewart, 5-52; 3 Jos Addison, Helm Hill, 6-17. Girls U12: 1 Jenny Addison, Helm Hill, 6-11; 2 Z Harding, Bowland, 8-52; 3 J Barrett, Helm Hill, 9-01.

Tribute race

RUNNERS from South Lakeland will be travelling to Haworth on Sunday to compete in a race in memory of ex-international athlete John Taylor who died from a heart condition last year.

Organiser Dave Woodhead is planning "a rolling start" with friends of the Bingley athlete invited to the front of the field as runners pass John's family on the course. The senior race starts at 11.30am.

February 7, 2003 09:30