THE first in the Warloc Series of Night Urban Orienteering sprint events tested navigation skills through Kendal’s Serpentine Woods, Castle Howe, Fellside and the yards off Highgate and Stricklandgate.

Warrior’s Martin Bagness (M35) was fastest over the 4km course in 29mins. Over three minutes later, Iain Smith-Ward (M40, LOC), Chris Naylor (M21, WCOC) and Dan Duxbury (M40, Ambleside AC) were closely grouped at second, third and fourth.

Youngest competitor Matt Penellum (M16, LOC) was fifth, with Derek Allison (M50), Loz Colyer (M35), first woman Charlie Somers-Cocks (W50), Derek Fryer (M55) and Beryl Offley (W55) taking the remaining top ten places for Lakeland.

Lakeland veterans Diana McClure (W60) and Bob Forster (M65) were 16th and 18th.

Women were fastest in 28mins at the second event, held in the Heathwaite area of Windermere, Queen’s Park and woodland at the foot of School Knott.

Only seconds separated winner Charlotte Watson (W18, WCOC) from Heather Burrows (W21, LOC), Loz Colyer and Iain Smith-Ward.

Chris Naylor was fifth, a further minute back, followed by Derek Allison, Charlie Somers-Cocks, Derek Fryer, Beryl Offley and Judy Burge (W50, LOC).

The last event of the series will be held in Ambleside on December 8 with registration at Bilbo’s Café/Lakes Runner from 6pm.