ROBERT Hudson continues to dominate the Merritt & Fryers British Open Fell Runners Association Championships and last Sunday's thirteenth race of the series at Hawkswick near Arncliffe brought no change of luck for his rivals.

Even a new course, following the replanting of trees by the National Parks, did not disturb Hudson's supremacy, although with a near vertical descent to the finish, conditions were hardly hostile for the courageous downhill specialist.

Run from the centre of Hawkswick Village, the course took the runners diagonally across the fell to the summit, where they ran across the skyline to the turn and then tackled a steep run-in.

Hudson took up the early running and soon pulled clear of Ted Mason and Patrick Boyd, who in turn distanced themselves from Lee Athersmith, John Wooton, Mark Salkild, Paul Targett and Andy Holden.

Approaching the Under 17s turn, Mason and Boyd started to push hard in pursuit of Hudson and reduced the deficit to almost twenty yards, but on reaching the summit and along the skyline Hudson's stride lengthened once again and the twenty yards lead soon became sixty. Not to be outdone, Mason picked up the tempo, leaving Boyd behind as he took the descent at breakneck pace.

Hudson, of course, is renowned for his descending and he kept Mason at bay to cross the winning line in what is now a new record time of 11mins 16seconds, Mason (11.28) closing the gap to just twelve seconds.

Boyd (12.14) just held onto third from the fast finishing Wooton (12.27), with Athersmith (12.41) fifth and Targett (12.49) sixth. First Veteran was Mark Salkild of Nottingham in 12.57, with Roger Gibson (13.24) second and Gary Bastow (13.30) third. The winner of the ladies race was Lynn Whitaker of Hellifield in 21.26, with Tracey Targett (21.32) second.

Junior Results

Under 17: Boys - 1. Martin Swainson (Grasmere) 9.43; 2. Martin Hounslow 10.05; 3. Ross Whitaker 10.06. Girls - 1. Karen Bowe (Kendal) 12.07; 2. Sally Shepherd 13.00; 3. Debra Waddington 13.25.

Under 14: Boys - 1. Stuart Hunn (Skipton) 5.39; 2. Adam Crowe 6.07; 3. Lee Wood 6.34. Girls - 1. Francesca Coulthread (Cowling) 7.41.

Under 12: Boys - 1. Caleb Wetherell (Cowling) 4.05; 2. Matthew Hurst 4.15; 3. Joshua Darling 4.22. Girls - 1. Caroline Hall (Airton) 4.57; 2. Claire Lilley 5.06; 3. Amy Hall 5.17.

Under 9: Boys - 1. Liam Waite (Langcliffe) 2.40; 2. Emma Thompson 2.50; 3. Duncan Lund 2.53; 4. Rebecca Thompson 2.55; 5. William Hall 3.00. Special thanks to Gill and Roger Gibson for arranging the new venue.

Next B.O.F.R.A. Championship race will be held tomorrow (Saturday, August 19) at Gargrave Show. First race - Under 9s - 12 noon. Races for Seniors, Under 17s,Under 14s, Under 12s and Under 9s. For further information please ring Mr. J. Thompson on 01756 749235 or 01756 752031.