A SMALL field of just 46 runners turned up for what could possibly be the last ever running of the Whernside Fell race with organiser Colin Gardner considering calling it a day.

And it was a veteran athlete who has regularly supported the event over the last nine years, Bradford and Airedale's Steve Oldfield, who won ahead of Bowland's Chris Reade.

Ambleside's Paul Singleton missed out on second by three seconds and had to settle for fourth place.

Clayton's Vanessa Peacock was the first lady finishing 21st in 1-59-27.

RESULTS: 1 S Oldfield, Bradford & Airedale, 1-35-29; 2 C Reade, Bowland, 1-39-46; 3 Q Harding, Bowland, 1-39-47; 4 P Singleton, Ambleside, 1-39-49; 5 J Hemsley, Pudsey & Bramley, 1-41-04; 6 S Macina, Pudsey & Bramley, 1-45-26; 7 L Warburton, Bowland, 1-45-38; 8 J Fish, Ambleside, 1-45-44; 9 F Livesey, Howgill, 1-46-02; 10 S Webb, Valley Striders, 1-46-58; 12 M Walsh, Kendal, 1-47-19; 14 Peter Brittleton, Howgill, 1-50-12; 24 A Hinde, Settle, 2-04-14; 29 B Kennedy, Settle, 2-08-35; 35 D Aspden, Dallam, 2-16-57; 37 S Harding, Crook-of-Lune, 2-28-30.

There were 44 finishers.