YORKSHIRE grit and determination was amply rewarded as the sun shone on this year’s Reeth Show.

Damage caused by the floods that devastated Swaledale in late July was still evident but everyone involved ensured that this year’s show would be as good, if not better, than in previous years.

A total of 86 senior and 72 junior runners from across the country and beyond gathered to enjoy the show and take on the challenge of a lung busting, thigh crunching run up the gnarly fell, over a false summit, to reach the real summit of Fremington Edge, marked by a large Union Jack flag.

Mercia’s Simon Bailey is enjoying an excellent season and led the senior race form the start, making it look like child’s play as he bounced up the fell and seemed to drift down it, romping home in 16.05 minutes, nearly a minute ahead of second placed Calder Valley’s Charlie Ing (17.02) and Wharfedale Harriers’ Tom Millard (17.16).

Bailey’s win at Reeth is all the more impressive when considering that he won Grasmere Sports Guides race the previous day.

Ribble Valley’s Caroline Lambert had a storming race to win the ladies race (19.01), finishing 12th overall, from Pudsey and Bramley’s Rachel Pilling (21.39) and Helm Hill’s Lorna Askew (22.50).

The under-17 race was wide open as many of the usual contenders were elsewhere on the day.

However, Chesterfield’s Finlay Grant, who is having a great fell running season, led from the start and won in 14.10 minutes from Barlick’s Jack Villiers (14.58) and Pudsey and Bramley’s Declan Walker (15.01).

Harrogate Harriers’ Alexandra Whitaker led the girls out to win in 15.29 mins from Rossendale Harriers’ Lauryn Gregg (17.15) and Clayton-le-Moors’ Hannah Eccles (22.49).

Ambleside’s Charlie Allmond (12.42) won the under-14 boys’ race from Calder Valley’s Charlie Pickens (14.23) and Cumberland’s Tom Adams (16.21).

The girls’ race proved to be a real battle all the way to the finish line. On the way out, it was Wharfedale’s Olivia Aldham in the lead leaving the other girls in her wake.

On the descent it was all change as Cumberland’s Fayth Bowness worked her way through the pack to take the lead from Aldham.

However, with only a few metres to go Aldham showed she was not yet done and produced a thrilling sprint finish to take the win in 17.05, a mere second ahead of Bowness (17.06). Third girl was Horwich’s Emma Bradley (17.57).

Wharfedale’s Tom Hooper led the under-12 race out and was racing strongly until the descent where Keighley and Craven’s Archie Peaker took the lead to win in 8.39, nearly a minute in front of Hooper (9.33). Third boy was Mercia’s Oliver Bailey (10.03).

The girls’ race was won by Barlick’s Lucille Pickles (10.16), who has enjoyed some excellent race results this season. Second and third girls were Orion Harriers’ Verity Ross (10.53), who travelled from Essex to race, and Otley’s Charlotte Chambers (10.58).