What a difference a year has made to Lauren Jeska of Todmorden Harriers.

When she won the Thieveley Pike Fell Race 12 months ago, even race organiser Pete Booth had never heard of her, but when she returned on Saturday, she did so as the newly crowned English Fell Champion.

The 36-year old was also a medal contender in the 2010 British Championships, until she skipped the last round in Wales to defend her title in Cliviger, and she produced a performance in line with her elevated status to win a race only 4.3 miles long by nearly five minutes.

Jeska’s time of 36:16 put her within sniffing distance of Natalie White’s record 35:41, set when the race was last an English Championship counter four years ago.

Booth has revealed that he declined an opportunity to run it as a Championship event this year due to possible parking problems, but the course near Burnley is rated by many as a classic providing a wide variety of terrain, yet plenty of climbing – 1300 feet in all.

An earlier start, coupled with a bright and sunny day helped to ensure a successful event and the field of 152 was up around 40 per cent on recent years.

Its inclusion in the Inter Club Grand Prix, featuring six clubs including Rosssendale Harriers also helped, and the strong Rossendale presence was evident with Brendon Taylor taking third and Phil Bolton winning the U20 class in fourth.

Ahead, Calder Valley’s Ben Mounsey was attempting to complete a hat-trick of victories, but he came up against a man at the top of his game in Tom Adams from Ilkley Harriers who is reputed to have won his last six races.

Another previous winner, Andrew Wrench of Todmorden was sixth this year and the winning veteran.

The over 45 beat all the over 40s, as did the first four over 50s who enjoyed a terrific tussle being split by only half a minute.

Darwen-based Graham Schofield was just the pick of them, finishing 10th six seconds ahead of Phil Taylor in 11th, then after Jeska who was 12th, two more Dale Harriers Richard Stott and Thornton Taylor followed in 13th and 15th.

All four were rewarded at the prize-giving as they shared the over 40 and over 50 awards between them.

Clayton’s Barry Mitchell continued the trend as the over 65 was well ahead of the first over 60.

Todmorden had two of the first three in the women’s race with Claire Duffield clocking 42:41 for third.

Anna Kelly was the first Clayton-le-Moors counter, fifth and first veteran in 44:37 while Dale’s first home were Davina Raidy and Karen Taylor, sixth and seventh in 45:50 and 45:56.

Raidy won the over 40s, Taylor the over 50s while Kelly took over 45 honours.

Linda Lord of Clayton and Todmorden’s Moyra Parfitt won the over 60 and over 65 classes.