Ireland takes fell title

The series takes place throughout the summer months from May until October with 13 meetings mostly across Cumbria and North Yorkshire, many of them linked to agricultural shows.

Races cover all the age groups from under 12s (sometimes under 9s) right up to seniors and veterans, and at just 14 years old it was Katie's first year in the under 17s.

The Rossendale Harrier was competing against girls up to three years older, yet she was beaten only once in eight outings to win her title by nineteen points.

She started running three years ago while still at junior school, and now as a student at Haslingden High School she has continued to progress with the Harriers.

Oddly, the fells are not her favourite terrain - she likes cross country best - and she discovered the BOFRA series by accident.

She was on holiday in the family caravan when she discovered there was a nearby event, and she won the race in borrowed trainers!

BOFRA races have a reputation for being short but with steep inclines and descents, yet Katie found the opposite was true with the distances being longer than she had experienced running in the Fell Runners Association Championship as an under 14.

Having mastered the fells this year, she says she is determined to try and defend her title next year.

She could have more company from her team mates next year - and already other Rossendale Harriers have begun to take an interest with Anthony Gotts finishing second in the under 23 age group after taking part in six races.

Pendle's Jack Thompson missed the under 17 boys' title by a single point to take second behind John Marsh, while in the same class Hyndburn's Kyle Biddle was fifth with Thomas Wilson from Pendle sixth.

Grace Biddle took fourth in the under 17 women's category, while her father Andrew was fourth in the over 50s.

Andrew is BOFRA's secretary and you can find out more about the association by calling him on 01254-231811 (evenings).