A RECORD turn-out and a new mens record saw an exciting start to the mid-week fell racing season at Loughrigg, Ambleside.

The four-mile route to the summit of Loughrigg and back, with 1000 feet of climbing, saw Keswick AC’s Jacob Adkin take a new course record in 25 minutes and 59 seconds and Sarah McCormack of Ambleside AC take her third win in a row in a time of 30 minutes 41 seconds.

A field of 269 runners set off from Rothay Park with Adkin making his mark with a strong lead at the summit. Dogged determination from Dan Howarth (Matlock AC) saw him hang on for second place at the finish (26-51).

Helm Hill's Josh Jardine overhauled Nathan Lawson on the descent to secure third place (27-05), with Lawson fourth(27-18).

Tom Tipping of Helm Hill was the first V50 & V40 in 23rd place (30-17), while Michael Mallen of Keswick AC was the first V60 (35.19) and Eddie Dealtry of Kendal AC first V70 (48-10). Daniel Sanderson of Ambleside AC had an impressive run to finish 28th overall and first under 18 (30-46).

McCormack, the course record holder and four-times previous winner, had another strong race, finishing with a comfortable lead and finishing 27th overall.

Eden Runners’ Eve Panone came in second place (32-12) with Keswick's Catherine Spurden finishing in third place (33-01).

Bianca Dyer of Helm Hill was the first V40 in 99th place and 7th woman (35-42), while Keswick's Lyn Thompson was first V50 & V60 (40-19). Fellow team mate Lesley Malarky finished first V70 (46-04). Amy Slattery of Sedbergh was the first under 18 woman (37-50).

Adkin was unaware of the course record and admitted to being distracted in the race: “I really enjoyed the race, and it was difficult not to stop at the top to watch the sunset! I hadn’t realised about the course record; kudos to Tom Addison for keeping it so long [2014].”

Race organiser Ben Abdelnoor, stepping down after ten years of organising the race, is looking forward to taking part next year. “It’s been great fun organising this event for so long," he said. "I’d like to thank everyone who has volunteered to help out over the years to make this such a popular event. Ambleside AC is a great club to belong to and I’m hoping to get a chance to race at Loughrigg in 2020.”