A MISSING runner from Cumbria has been honoured by the renaming of a trophy that he himself won several times.

The new Darren Kay Trophy was awarded to the overall winner of the Hutton Roof Crags Fell Race on Saturday, May 27.

Mr Kay, of Sedbergh, was last seen on December 11, 2022, in Calheta on the island of Madeira, when he went out for an afternoon run with his partner Victoria Wilkinson.

He told Ms Wilkinson he would carry on running for another 30 minutes but has not been since.

A search of the area by Portuguese authorities and even his own family did not reveal any clues and the search was officially ended by the Portuguese on December 21.

His family and friends set up a GoFundMe to carry on the search, which raised over £11,000.

Mr Kay was well-known in the running community having run many races and competed at the highest levels on the fells.

He regularly participated in the Hutton Roof Crags Fell Race, being the winner a number of times, most recently in 2022, when on the revised course he set a new record.

READ MORE: Search for missing fell runner in Madeira stops, Portuguese newspaper reports

Details of the 36 previous race winners will be added to the trophy, as will all future winners, as the Darren Kay Trophy becomes a permanent prize in the running calendar.

The first winner of the trophy is Andy Norman (V40) of Altrincham and District Athletic Club Limited with a new course record of 50:42.

To be eligible for the V40 category a runner must be at least 40 years old.

The trophy was presented by Victoria Wilkinson, Mr Kay's partner.

Victoria (V40) also won the women's race and received her trophy from Peter Irving, the main sponsor of the Hutton Roof Fell Race.

Robin Lawrence (58:49), Bingley Harriers won the V50, David Griffin (1:03:25), Helm Hill, the V60, Ian Smith (1:22:45) Ribble Valley, the V70 and Phil Martin from Bowland the V80.

Helm Hill won the men's team prize and received the Sheepskin Warehouse Trophy.

Catherine Cullinane won the women's V50 ( 1:10:54) from Helm Hill, and Suzanne Bridget from Horwich the V60 (1:18: 47).

Helm Hill also won the women's team prize and the junior team prize.

The Hutton Roof Cup was won by Luca Williams for local junior the best performance in his category.