The 20th Stoop race brought real festive weather in the form of ice and snow – but fell runners, being a hardy breed, relish such extremes.

In fact, the harder it is, the more fun they have.

A total of 168 seniors took part in the revised course, because of the weather, to the top of Oxenhope Stoop and back and it was British fell racing champion Rob Hope and record-holder Andi Jones who were first to the boundary stone.

But on the snow-covered descent, Jones lost ground, while ten-time record winner Ian Holmes, of Fell Lane, skipped over the course he knows so well to close on Hope.

But Hope wasn’t to be denied his seventh win and crossed the line looking a ‘cool dude’, still wearing his sun glasses.

Haworth’s Helen Glover, 25, from Keighley & Craven Athletics Club, won the ladies race for the first time, finishing three minutes ahead of Tamara Hird.

Twenty-year-old Victoria Stevens was third as she led her club, Ilkley Harriers, to the team first prize.

Seventy-one juniors braved the elements to conquer their snow-covered courses, with Keighley & Craven athletes winning three races.

Elliott Brett, the under-eight winner, also had the recognition of starting the senior race, while the other Keighley winners were Sally Handford (girls under-14s) and Rosie Hellawell (girls under-16s).

Results: 1 Rob Hope (Pudsey & Bramley) 30-51, 2 Ian Holmes (Bingley) 30-53 V40, 3 Andi Jones (Salford) 31-19, 4 Danny Hope (P&B) 32-32, 5 Tom Adams (Ilkley) 33-23. Locals: 9 Gareth Hird (Wharfedale) 33-58, 10 Stephen Brock (Keighley & Craven) 34-03, 11 Jon Bradshaw (Wharfedale) 34-19 U18, 12 Jon Pawson (Skipton) 34-27, 14 Paul Crabtree (K&C) 34-39. Ladies: 1 Helen Glover (K&C) 38-07, 2 Tamara Hird (Wharfedale) 41-00 V35, 3 Victoria Stevens (Ilkley) 41-08, 4 Caroline Pollard (North York Moors) 41-57 V50. Locals: 7 Liz Crossland (K&C) 45-06, 8 Kate Archer (Ilkley) 45-12, 10 Becky Weight (Bingley) 45-21, 13 Christine Preston (Todmorden) 45-34 V40, 14 Judy Howells (Wharfedale) 45-51, 16 Cath Gibbons (Ilkley) 47-15.