Following a very successful last year for Black Combe Runners, attention is now focused on 2019.

Whilst there are no major races taking place this month, the club’s own Winter Training League races are already underway, with the first three of the eight handicapped events so far completed.

This kicked off with the New Year’s Day five-mile, 1,800ft ascent Dunnerdale fell race route, from the village hall at Broughton Mills, replacing the Po House circuit road race, which had been an annual event since the mid-1980s.

The fell race was well supported with 22 runners, including some guests, toeing the line in rather cold and sunny conditions.

Guest runner Harry Scott set a strong pace that no-one could overhaul on handicap, but the fastest time of the day over the course came from Josh Hartley, who clocked at 43 minutes flat.

The second race, held the Sunday before last, was the Appletree Worth six-mile, near figure of eight, route over a multi-terrain course from the Hawk Forestry Commission car park, near Broughton Mills.

This event was a testing run, taking in the route of the trails continuing to the wooded area, up on fell paths to and over Nannycatch Bridge, descending the other side and eventually finishing back at the car park.

In good runnable conditions, there was no shortage of participants, with a strong turnout of 20 members and guest runners all enjoying the race.

The third race was held last Sunday and was over two laps of Birkrigg Common, near Ulverston, which included the wooded section of Sea Wood twice.

This multi-terrain race had some steep climbs as well as fast runnable ground, if wet, and not ideal weather conditions made for some interesting runs and times from the 18 hardy members who turned up to add to their overall scores.

Jonathan Bailey was first back on handicap, narrowly pipping Beth Ripper.

The quickest time covered on the ground again went to Hartley, who was sixth on handicap, in an impressive 42:10.

Other finishers in handicap order were: John Shevelan (3rd), John Evason (4th), Martin Currie (5th), Matt Sims (guest), Nick Sebley (8th), Mike Jewell, Chris Roberts, Anna Lupton (11th), James Goffe, Hazel Tayler, Dom McCavish, Peter Tayler (15th), Sue Ross, Susan Lomas and Phil Newton (18th).

After three Winter Training League races, Ripper leads for the ladies with Bailey the men’s leader.

With five more races still to go, it’s anyone’s title up for grabs in the weeks ahead.