Steve Murdoch of Eden Runners won the Ravenstonedale 10k for a sixth time on Friday but only after a close tussle with Paul Brittleton of Helm Hill.

Evergreen Mike Walsh Kendal AC, was a close third.

It was also a tight finish to the women's race with Erika Johnson (Swaledale Harriers) holding off former winner Alison Raw (Darlington Harriers) as they finished 14th and 15th overall.

Sarah Tunstall from Kirkby Stephen followed them, in running for York Acorn in 17th.

Several other local runners put in impressive perform-ances, among them David Crayston (Dallam AC) in 5th, Dick Gorst (Kendal) 6th, Ian Atkinson (Helm Hill) 8th, Steve Moffat (Howgill Harriers) 9th and 15-year-old Joss Livesey (Howgill Harriers) 11th and first local male in his first 10k. Kendal AC won the team with Walsh, Gorst and Dacre counting.