Charles Stead of Northumberland Fell Runners beat Paul Lowe of Mandale Harriers by over two minutes at the Eston Nab Nee Nocker on Sunday.

Stead also broke his record set in last years event, lowering it to 34 minutes 34 seconds for the 5.5 mile course which has 900 feet of ascent including the Eston Nab Climb itself. The battle for the Northern Runner Winter Fell Race Series looks like it will be between Lowe and Stead. Stead is currently lagging behind with two victories and two seconds to Lowes four victories and a second. With four races left in the series and six races to count there is still plenty of running to be done. Third place was Rob Pollard who took advantage of local knowledge on the Eston Nab climb to move up four places and win the veterans in a time of 38.17.

The women's race on Sunday turned up a new winner, Denise Tunstall (Teesdale) took full advantage of last year's series winner Alison Raw (Darlington) taking a less direct route to the finish to winning in a time of 43.40, 14 seconds in front of Jen Milsom of Cleveland Police. Series leader Caroline Pollard finished 3rd in 44-17 and won the veterans.