MORE than 100 fell runners braved the heat to take part in the legendary senior guides race at Grasmere Sports on

Sunday, one of the few shows not to fall victim to the foot-and-mouth crisis this year.

Organisers estimated that around 5,000 people flocked to the showfield to watch Cumberland and Westmorland-style wrestlers battling it out, pub teams digging in for the tug-of-war and arena

displays replacing the mountain bike dash and hound trailing, which were cancelled because of foot-and-mouth restrictions.

The committee spent weeks agonising over whether the event should go ahead and, as

temperatures soared on Sunday, members felt their gamble had paid off.

Chairman Victor Gubbins said: "We hardly dared hope for this but it's been an extremely good day."

For full results, coverage and pictures of Grasmere Sports, plus a round-up of all the Bank Holiday events, including Cartmel Races, don't miss this Friday's Westmorland Gazette.