STORM Callum certainly made its presence felt at this year’s Wasdale Head Show Fell Race in Cumbria.

The rain varied between heavy and very heavy as hardened fell runners of all ages assembled to take on the beast that is Kirk Fell.

Common sense prevailed to shorten the senior race such that it went only as far as the screes at Highnose Head, rather the summit cairn and shelter. The cloud had descended and reduced visibility to virtually zero above this point.

Despite the shorter route, the race was still a tough ask and challenged all runners.

Wharfedale Harriers’ Tom Millard led the pack as they jockeyed for position over the stile and then up the first part of the grinding ascent.

The running order changed many times as competitors fought the weather and the terrain to reach the turn point.

The sheer thigh power of Mercia’s Simon Bailey led him to victory as he bounded down the fell to win (18.11) from Ilkley Harriers’ Jack Cummings (20.03), pushing early leader, Wharfedale’s Tom Millard into third place (20.40).

Pudsey and Bramley’s Rachel Pilling showed true grit and determination to win the ladies race (26.46), finishing just outside the top 20 overall.

Second and third places were a battle to the end as Mercia’s Kirstin Bailey and Cumberland’s Lindsay Buck crossed the stile to the finish field together. However, Bailey had more left in the tank as she sprinted Buck to finish 2nd (28.37), and Buck third (28.40).

The under-17 race ran with the seniors and produced some interesting results. Kendal’s Toby Umpleby finished second overall to win the under-17 race (19.57).

In another thrilling sprint finish, Pudsey’s Declan Walker and Joey Umpleby locked horns and ran for their lives with Walker finishing second, (23.37) pipping Umpleby into third place (23.39).

Keighley and Craven’s Sam Headley won the under-14 boys race (8.19) from Wharfedale’s Addison Willis (8.42) and Dallam’s Alex Matthew, 3rd (9.43).

Wharfedale’s Amelie Lane ran a superb race, finishing fourth overall and winning the girls’ race (8.57) from Cumberland’s Emily Swarbrick, second, (9.50) and Durham City’s Erin Keeler-Clarke, third (10.06).

In another win for Keighley and Craven, Archie Peaker triumphed in the under-12 boys’ race to win (4.30), ahead of Cumberland’s Mylo Jewell, second, (4.38) and Ilkley Harriers’ Seth Toye, 3rd, (4.44).

Cumberland’s Olivia Swarbrick stormed home to win the girls’ race (5.42) from Dallam’s Cate Matthew, second, (6.09) and Barlick’s Jody Whitfield, 3rd (6.23).