COMPETITORS taking part in the Wansfell race at Ambleside enjoyed a free' event as the organiser dispensed with entry fees and prizes, writes Mike Addison.

Martin Richardson said it cut out a whole level of organisation for himself and there were no moans from any of the athletes who seemed unconcerned about the absence of prizes.

"You are never going to be a rich man being a fell runner," said Mr Richardson. "Some of the feedback I got was very interesting. Most were not bothered that there were no prizes."

The three-mile race was won by Cumberland Fell Runners' George Crayston who beat Dark Peak's Tim Austin by 14 seconds. Several South Lakeland athletes made it inside the top ten and leading them home was Howgill's Peter Brittleton who was fourth ahead of Kendal's Ed Nash. Ambleside's Jon Deegan and Paul Singleton were involved in a dual for eighth position and Howgill's Paul Brittleton was tenth.

There were good runs also for Settle's John Murfin and David Shepherd who were 11th and 13th respectively while Kendal's Rob Blyth proved that he is not just

a long-distance specialist finishing a creditable 15th behind Keswick's Colin Valentine. First veteran was Clayton's Peter McWade who was 12th.

Bingley's Sharon Taylor, who had cycled to the event from her home in Staveley, won the women's race finishing 35th in 27-29.

Results: 1 G Crayston, CFR, 20-11; 2 T Austin, Dark Peak, 20-25; 3 D Hope, Pudsey & Bramley, 21-01; 4 Peter Brittleton, Howgill, 21-24; 5 E Nash, Kendal, 21-26; 6 G Bland, Borrowdale, 21-40; 7 D Cummings, Shettlestone, 22-05; 8 J Deegan, Ambleside, 22-28; 9 P Singleton, Ambleside, 22-30; 10 Paul Brittleton, Howgill, 23-11; 11 J Murfin, Settle, 23-25; 13 D Shepherd, Settle, 24-14; 14 C Valentine, Keswick, 24-22; 15 R Blyth, Kendal, 24-30; 16 M Addison, Kendal, 24-39; 19 A Pilkington, Settle, 24-59; 20 A Miller, Kendal, 25-13; 23 C Speight, unattached, 26-12; 28 P Simpson, Kendal,

26-26; 27 M Knowles, Black Combe, 26-27; 30 R Cannon, Helm Hill,

26-30; 32 S Oxley, Settle, 26-45; 34 A Shepherd, Settle, 27-02; 35 S Taylor, Bingley, 27-29; 39 A Hinde, Settle, 29-00; 43 D Robinson, Ambleside, 30-45; 44 T Walker, Ambleside, 30-56; 47 S Wright, Ambleside, 31-40; 49 H Catlow, CFR, 32-09; 52 J Osborne, Settle, 33-26.

NEWLY-WEDS Phil and Helen Winskill enjoyed race-winning success in the New Year's Day Nine Standards race at Kirkby Stephen while honeymooning in the Lake District.

Phil Winskill, of Dark Peak, triumphed in the men's race in a time of 59-12 while his bride took the honours in the ladies race clocking 73-49 over the eight miles, which includes 1,800ft of climbing.

Kendal's Ed Nash (59-29) was third in the men's race while Howgill's Peter Brittleton (60-04) was third out of a field of 56 starters.

The team prize went to Kendal with the other counters being Joe Symonds (62-39) in sixth and Rob Blyth (65-46) in eighth. First V50 was Kendal's Mike Walsh (65-48) while team-mate Chris Lumb (66-29) won the first V40 prize. Milnthorpe's Wendy Dodds (88-37), who runs for Clayton-le-Moors, was first lady V50 and Cumberland Fell Runners' Harry Catlow (93-39), of Storth, was first V70.

Runners encountered wintry and snowy conditions on the summit although it was mild and calm in Kirkby Stephen.

January 3, 2003 11:00