ENGLAND fell running internationals Rob Jebb and Louise Sharpe won the inaugural Lakeland Limited sponsored Garburn Trail Race and each picked up £100 for their efforts.

Jebb, who lives in Staveley and runs for Bingley, led from the start and his only real challenger was Borrowdale's Mark Roberts who made deep inroads into his lead towards the finish of the 20kms.

Keswick's Louise Sharpe was still benefiting from running at altitude after competing in the World Mountain Running Trophy event held at Sauze d'Oulz in Italy the previous week. She finished strongly to place tenth.

Runners negotiated clims over Orrest Head, Garburn Pass and Reston Scar and in between ran over pastureland, along trails, paths and through woodland.

The Continental-style race featured kilometre markers, water stations and 30 marshalls, some dressed in badger costumes as the event was supporting Cumbria Wildlife Trust.

The first three men, women and veteran class winners won cash prizes totalling £500, but all the finishers had a chance of scooping 30 spot prizes with a value of over £1,000.

The spot prizes, donated by local businesses and individuals, ranged from a free eye examination and prescription sunglasses, £100 worth of Rohan vouchers, an original Lakeland painting, signed copies of Sarah Rowell's book Off-Road Running, outdoor and sports gear, a years membership of the Cumbria Wildlife Trust, and outdoor and sports vouchers.

A non-competitive Chall-enge race set off an hour before the main race from the grounds of Elleray School, Windermere, with the athletes travelling from the race headquarters at Staveley by train. The first runner home was keen mountain biker Alan Ridding who clocked a respectable 1-47-45.

The junior races were centred on Reston Scar, Staveley, and featured events for U12, U14, U16 and U18. The results are as follows: Results: Seniors: 1 R Jebb, Bingley, 1-18-06; 2 M Roberts, Borrowdale, 1-19-29; 3 P Singleton, Ambleside, 1-22-52; 4 J Deegan, Ambleside, 1-25-23; 5 C Fray, Pennine, 1-25-42; 6 G Thorpe, Ambleside, 1-27-51; 7 J Aylward, Otley, 1-28-17; 8 C Hawxby, Acorn AC, 1-29-34; 9 P Buchanan, Portobello, 1-30-05; 10 L Sharpe, Keswick, 1-31-01; 11 M Addison, Helm Hill, 1-33-01; 12 G Dover, Hoad Hill, 1-34-29; 13 S Taylor, Bingley, 1-34-29; 14 G Potts, Windermere, 1-35-23; 15 D Duxbury, Ambleside, 1-35-29; 16 I Palmer, Ambleside, 1-36-33; 17 H Jones, Dallam, 1-37-29; 18 L Towe, Kendal, 1-38-26; 20 C Sproson, Windermere, 1-41-44; 24 J Rayner, Kendal, 1-47-46; 26 D Shinn, Dallam, 1-48-07; 29 R Hanlon, Windermere, 1-51-25; 31 M Gates, Milnthorpe, 1-52-33; 33 D Buchan, Kendal, 1-53-35; 34 P Lernelius, Kendal, 1-53-50; 35 M Jones, Black Combe, 1-54-53; 38 J Parry, Hoad Hill, 1-58-07; 39 J King, Helm Hill, 1-59-33; 43 J Sayer, Windermere, 2-05-36; 44 I Swallow, Kendal, 2-06-06; 46 W Ross, Cartmel, 2-07-48; 51 I Conway, Helm Hill, 2-13-00.

Juniors: Boys U12: 1 W Parkinson, 3-10; 2 G Milligan, 3-24; 3 T Harrison, 3-50; Girls U12: 1 A Hamer, 3-57; 2 C Milligan, 4-10. Boys U14: 1 B Jackson, 4-51; 2 S Cousins, 5-09; 3 C Raven, 5-14. Girls U14: 1 B Vanhinsbeigh, 5-20; 2 L Martin, 8-23. Boys U16: 1 T Addison, 10-41; 2 E Burgon, 12-18; 3 L Redfern, 14-09; Boys U18: 1 T Winsor, 10-46; 2 J Burgon, 11-35; 3 S Dunn, 17-46.

n LONG distance specialist Phil Clark was among the leading competitors in Sunday's weather affected Lake District Mountain Trial from Thirlspot, near Keswick.

The race organisers were forced to shorten the course because of a poor weather forecast and their decision proved to be a wise one with late starting competitors hit by driving wind and rain.

Clark, who has won the event twice, was sixth and first super vet, completing the course, which went over Helvellyn, St Sunday Crag and back over the Helvellyn range, in 2-54-03.

Borrowdale's Gavin Bland was on familiar territory and won in 2-34-37, nearly 14 minutes ahead of Lothian's Andy Kitchin who was taking part in the event for the first time.

Ambleside's Susan Clough was second in the women's trial and was followed home by Milnthorpe-based Clayton athlete Wendy Dodds who was first lady super vet. Borrowdale's Nicola Davies was the race winner.

The short trial for novices and older runners was won by Ambleside's Ian Mulvey with six minutes to spare over Toby Harling of Borderliners.

Kendal were second team home.

Results: Men: 1 G Bland, Borrowdale, 2-34-37; 2 A Kitchin, Lothian, 2-48-01; 3 A Davies, Borrowdale, 2-48-59; 4 J Davies, Borrowdale, 2-51-37; 5 S Birkinshaw, Northumberland, 2-52-06; 6 P Clark, Kendal, 2-54-03; 7 I Powell, Westbury, 2-54-19; 8 N Bunn, TVOC, 2-59-05; 9 J Hunt, CFR, 2-59-37; 10 Q Harding, Bowland, 3-00-17; 13 A Miller, Kendal, 3-07-20; 15 C Valentine, Keswick, 3-08-32; 21 N Wharton, Kendal, 3-13-16; 22 M Beresford, Kendal, 3-13-45; 34 R Blyth, Helm Hill, 3-19-27; 42 S Millican, Kendal, 3-31-16; 48 M Walford, Kendal, 3-36-14; 49 F Livesey, Howgill, 3-36-17; 69 J Broxap, Kendal, 3-54-24; 106 D Whire, Helm Hill, 4-50-37; 108 D Fryer, Lakeland OC, 4-55-37; 111 R Smith, Ambleside, 5-45-03.

Women: 1 N Davies, Borrowdale, 2-56-37; 2 S Clough, Ambleside, 3-09-41; 3 W Dodds, Clayton, 3-14-42; 19 C McNeill, Ambleside, 4-09-17.

Short Trial: 1 I Mulvey, Ambleside, 2-29-5; 2 T Harling, Borderliners, 2-35-52; 3 P Dewhurst, unattached, 2-41-32; 5 J Osborne, Settle, 2-56-09; 12 J Murfin, Settle, 3-09-10; 13 N Hambrey, Kendal, 3-10-16.