A STARTING line-up of 112 seniors and 13 under 17s made for the biggest senior field ever to start a Kendal Winter League race when the season began on Sunday.

And that was despite a number of athletes being unable to make it to the Scout Scar race off Brigsteer Road, Kendal, because of the adverse weather conditions.

Helm Hill's Tom Tipping won the race for a second successive year and dominated from start to finish although he was 19 seconds outside the record time of 26-19 that he set in better conditions last year.

Kendal's Paul Dugdale trailed in his wake and was 84 seconds adrift at the finish with Settle's Alex Pilkington in third.

Helm Hill's Billy Procter moved through the field after being taken by surprise by the sprint start and was first V40 in fourth position, just four seconds ahead of Bowland's Quinton Harding, who was second veteran.

Evelyn Dudgale (Kendal), 31-50, was the first woman, more than a minute clear of Hazel Jones (Dallam) in second and Sarah Tunstall (Nestle/Row) in third.

First Under-17 was Settle's David Shepherd, who also dominated from the off, while behind him cousins Tom and Mark Addison were locked in a ding-dong battle for second place.

Helm Hill's Gemma Crowther was first U17 girl ahead of her team-mate Katie Robinson.

Helm Hill's Lewis Robinson won a keenly contested U14 boys' race with Dallam's Alex Till and Broughton's John Jardine snapping at his heels. Another Helm Hill athlete, Jenny Addison, was a comfortable winner of the girls' under 14 event.

There was a big field also in the Under-12s with 40 boys and girls competing. Ulverston's Tom Doyle (Helm Hill) got away on the dash across the start field with team-mate Rory Addison on his tail.

At the finish Doyle was 17 seconds clear with Rory being pressurised by Jonathon Knox and Broughton's Douglas Jardine.

Melanie Hyder was first Under-12 girl with 36 seconds to spare over Bowland's Katrin Harding.

Results: Seniors: 1 T Tipping, Helm Hill, 26-38; 2 P Dugdale, Kendal, 28-01; 3 A Pilkington, Settle, 28-58; 4 B Procter, Helm Hill, 29-03; 5 Q Harding, Bowland, 29-07; 6 P Trott, 29-18; 7 J Meyfroidt, Helm Hill, 29-30; 8 C Rhodes, West/Tri, 29-34; 9 C Speight, Ambleside, 29-38; 10 S Addison, Helm Hill, 29-49.

Ladies: 1 E. Dugdale (Kendal) 31-50; 2 H. Jones (Dallam) 33-04; 3 S. Tunstall (33-06).

Under-17: Boys: 1 D Shepherd, Settle, 18-25; 2 T Addison, Helm Hill, 18-49; 3 M Addison, Helm Hill, 18-55; Girls: 1 G Crowther, Helm Hill, 24-23; 2 K Robinson, Helm Hill, 28-06.

Under14: Boys: 1 L Robinson, Helm Hill, 9-49: 2 A Till, Dallam, 9-53; 3 J Jardine, Broughton, 9-58. Girls: 1 J Addison, Helm Hill, 10-43; 2 E Witt, 11-53; 3 L Moorehead, Pendle, 12-43.

Under-12: Boys: 1 T Doyle, Helm Hill, 7-09; 2 R Addison, Helm Hill, 7-24; 3 J Knox, Helm Hill, 7-31. Girls: 1 M Hyder, 7-47; 2 K Harding, Bowland, 8-23; 3 J Shaw, 8-35.

n THE second race in the Kendal Winter League series has had to be moved because Gallaber Farm at Burton-in-Lonsdale is badly waterlogged. Sunday's race will now take place over Firbank Fell, near Sedbergh (grid reference 601940), starting at noon. From junction 37 of the M6 head east towards Sedbergh for 20 metres before turning left. The race will start half a mile down that road.