SIX hardy Lostock fell runners headed up to the North Pennines to compete in the first club fell championship race, the High Cup Nick, recently.

Starting at the quaint village of Dufton, a total of 412 runners set off on the 9.3-mile race with 1,509 feet of ascent. The route heads out of the village along a road section before heading on to the fells.

It was a sunny day, but the recent downpours had made the stream crossing tricky and route up the valley extremely boggy and heavy going.

Higher up the valley, the bogs made way to boulder fields that rose steeply to a near vertical scramble as runners reached the top. Those that took the opportunity to look back will have seen the perfect U-shaped valley, a stunning sight for which the summit is renown.

From here, the race to the finish is almost all downhill on the Pennine Way following rough, rocky paths, tracks and finally fast running through farmland returning to Dufton.

First Lostocker to cross the line in a superb time was Rob Sharkey, in 1hr 28mins 42secs, followed by Josie Greenhalgh, in 1:35:41, taking third LV50 prize.

Then, in quick succession, followed Tony Marlow (1:38:01), Tom Grundy (1:39:21), Mark Shuttleworth (1:43:16) and a fine performance from Amanda Smith, on her return to fell racing, in 2:37:15.

Elsewhere, Lostockers were out in force at the club’s annual race - the Lostock 6. This is always a popular race around Lostock, starting at the old Barnstormers pub, runners completes a loop around Lostock.

It is a fast race with clubs from all over the North West competing. The first Lostocker to cross the finish line was Dave Parry in an impressive 40:52.

He was followed by Hazel Hatfield, who was the 14th female to cross the finish line in 44:27. Tim Lippett followed in 44:07, with Gareth Pratt hot on his heels, finishing in 44:34.

There was a close battle for the next place with Lostockers finishing in quick succession. Chris Baker finished in 45:55, followed by Melanie Crompton, in 45:59 - the 20th female and second in her age category.

Johanna McManus clocked 46:02 (21st female), David Gregson ran 46:02 and Louise Read finished in 46:10 (22nd female).

Natalie Godfrey finished in 47:07, securing third in age category.

Other results: Brian Halton 48:12, Nikki Hamerton 48:11 (second in age category), Heather Soden 49:05, Rachel Hancock 49:12, Tony Maxwell 49:22, Janet Rhodes 50:10, Matt Allen-Turner 53:45, Rachel Stevens 53:56, Ian Burns 56:18, Sheila Garewal 58:10, Stephen Hancock 1:01:15.

Parkrun results (February 24): Bolton - Rachel Hancock 28:35 (second in her age category); Haigh Woodland Park - Andy Laycock 24:56, Matt Carney 28:26; Pennington Flash - Mark Checkley 33:28.