Runners braved wet and windy conditions for the latest edition of the Cartmel Trail Races on Saturday (4 October). Heavy rain in the run-up forced changes to the layout, timings and courses, but organisers and participants alike rose to the challenge and enjoyed a memorable day of racing in the south Lakes.

While the mountainous central Lakes were battered by storms, Cartmel offered somewhat brighter and more sheltered conditions. Even so, runners faced a mix of rain showers, gusty winds and moments of sunshine, making underfoot conditions tricky at times. Despite this, there were some outstanding performances across the distances, as well as plenty of runners taking the time to admire the autumn scenery in true trail-running spirit.

The ever-popular sticky toffee pudding reward proved as tempting as ever, with many runners unable to wait until they got home before tucking in. But the day was about more than treats at the finish line, with organisers quick to praise the marshals and crew who braved the elements to ensure the races went ahead safely and with plenty of encouragement for every participant.

In the 5K Sport Trail, youth shone through as Oliver Davenport stormed to victory in 28:29, with Eve Hollowbread first female in 33:52. Both are under 16, highlighting the strength of emerging local talent. The 10K Trail Run was won by Jake Higham in 53:29 and Kelli Roberts in 54:21, while the Trail Race, shortened to 10K due to conditions, saw Tom Lancashire take the men’s honours in 38:51 and Kerry Riley the women’s in 47:44.

If you'd like to know more, visit the Lakeland Trails website.

Image: Lakeland Trails