IT was fitting that one of the longest BOFRA Championship races was scheduled for the longest day of the year.

At just over three miles, the Helm Hill Races are a fair romp around The Helm, just outside Kendal. The date also happily coincided with the Silver Jubilee celebrations of the local fell running clubs.

Local lad Tom Addison (Helm Hill) won the senior race in 22min 14sec. He held off the challenge of Wharfedale Harriers’ Ted Mason who was 12 seconds back.

Mason's performance was impressive as he had won the Buckden Pike Fell Race the previous day. Third place went to fellow Wharfedaler Jack Smith in 22.40.

The first lady was Wharfedale’s Lucy Needham (29.27), who had been third lady at Buckden Pike on Saturday.

Second was followed home by Alison Richards (Helm Hill) in 30.21 and Nina Walkingshaw (Howgill Harriers) in 30.24.

Turnout in the junior races was high with 114 runners in total. Considering that many of the runners also competed at the Turner Uphill races the day before, this shows true dedication to the sport.

The under-17 race saw Wharfedale Harriers' Thomas Nelson (11.34) come home second between the two Helm Hill runners, winner Chris Richards (11.21) and Ben Kent (11.52).

Helm Hill took the top two places in the under-17 girls event through Imogen Burrow (14.22) and Mia Senior (15.32). Rossendale Harriers’ Corinna Howorth (16.31) was third.

Broughton Runners’ Ben Edmondson won the under-14 race in 8.33, with Wharfedale’s Logan Hargreaves-Madhas second with a time of 8.38 and Tom Humphries of Eden Runners in third 15 seconds further back.

Helm Hill’s under-14 girls did not disappoint as the first two across the line were Katie Thurlow (9.41) and Mia Walsh (10.19). Third place went to Ambleside’s Courtney Hutchinson (10.28).

The under-12 race again had the biggest entry and had the usual fierce battle for places amongst runners of all abilities. Notching up another win, Kendal’s Fraser Sproul sprinted home in 5.52. Second was Wharfedale’s Sam Smith (6.03) and third place went to Ambleside’s Harry Bowen (6.06).

The first girl was Ambleside runner Chloe Rylance (6.25). Wharfedale bagged another second place as Charlotte Barrett steamed back in 6.50. The third girl was Keighley and Craven’s Beth Roberts in 7.00.

The under-nine race produced a victory for Broughton Runners’ Alex Graham in 3.04. He was followed to the finish by the first girl, Bethan Saunders of Hoad Hill. Third place went to the second boy Leo Ranner of Helm Hill.

Wharfedale's Helena Roberts was second girl and fourth overall. She was followed to the finish by Ilkley Harriers' Dylan Carr and Wharfedale's Hattie Bishop.