THE WANSFELL Race at Ambleside, which has become a standing dish for race-hungry fell runners on Boxing Day, attracted a 70-strong field and provided Gary Wilkinson with a chance to land the spoils for the first time.

The Clayton runner recorded a winning time of 21-32 on a cool, clear day but with slippery conditions underfoot and took a notable scalp in Scottish international Andrew Kitchen (Lothian), who was 23 seconds behind in second place in 21-55.

Helm Hill Runners' representative Billy Procter was third and the first vet 40 in 22-00, just edging out Ambleside's Paul Singleton by a second.

Angela Mudge (Carnethy) set a new ladies record of 23-01 - an improvement of 50 seconds - when 12th overall.

Results: 1 G. Wilkinson (Clayton) 21-32; 2 A. Kitchen (Lothian) 21-55; 3 B. Procter (Helm Hill) 1st vet 40 22-00; 4 P. Singleton (Ambleside) 22-01; 5 J. Hemsley (Pudsey & Bramley) 22-06; 6 T. Davis (Fife) 2nd vet 40 22-19; 7 N. Fish (Ambleside) 22-34; 8 S. Machina (Pudsey & Bramley) 22-36; 9 N. Spence (Borrowdale) 3rd vet 40 22-44; 10 D. Golding (Ambleside 22-59; 11 I. Greenwood (Clayton)

23-00; 12 A. Mudge (Carnethy) 23-01, 1st lady & new record).

Other ladies: 2nd Louise Sharpe (Keswick) 25-51; 3rd lady S. Taylor (Bingley) 25-57.

Men - 1st vet 50 - D. Schofield (Rossendale) 15th 24-38; 1st vet 60 - P. Dowker (Kendal) 32-04.

n The new Kendal Winter League fell-running season opens on Sunday with the Scout Scar races, which include youth events and start from near Brigsteer Road, Kendal at noon.