Gwilym Jones moved into the lead in the Winter Hill League with victory in round two of the series at Cringle Plantation on Saturday afternoon.

The middle race of three in the Aston International-sponsored series, started from the grass bank and walkway across the dam wall.

It then took the wet and muddy path along the opposite bank, on the eastern side of the reservoir.

Jones charged off at the start, Smith later admitting he could hardly keep up with him, but as they got further along the open stretch Smith got the impression that his younger rival was a little worried about going the wrong way.

He backed off a bit to follow Smith through the narrow gap in the hedge into the plantation. Jones retook the lead as the course wended its way steadily uphill between the trees.

Smith almost overtook him a second time when Jones briefly came to a standstill in the mud, the pair remaining together until the approximate halfway stage emerging out of the trees onto the Whiskey Run.

Jones edged away on the steepest climb to the top corner of the plantation, and from that point onwards Smith said he was pushing really hard simply to keep the 26-year-old in view.

The Peel man pulled a little bit back on the final descent back to the reservoir, but the winning margin for Jones was a reasonably comfortable 22 seconds.

The latter was the only runner of the record-equalling number of 148 to go beneath the 20-minute mark for the 2.6-mile circular route that involves subtle changes each and every year.

Seasoned campaigner Lloyd Taggart - not long out of a 14-day isolation and feeling a little out of shape - picked his way through the field after a modest start to finish third, with Tom Cringle fourth.

Tom Hughes had a great race to the top of the climb and was close to the leaders, but lost ground on the slippery descents. He eventually finished seventh, four seconds behind Ben Corkill who also had a good race considering he’s not been running for some time. He’s already got his sights on the Mountain Marathon.

Rugby Sevens coach George Blackwell (a former Scotland age-group cap) was well in the scrum for a top-six throughout, grabbing one of his best results to date in fifth. He was only five seconds down on Cringle, but ahead of Corkill and Hughes.

A mud-splattered Gethin Owen was eighth, with former Aberdeen and Newcastle footballer Neil Brogan narrowly edging out 14-year-old Cian Howard in the sprint to the line. The latter was the second Year 9 boy behind Owen.

Alex Bell, studying astrophysics at the University of Edinburgh, was leading under-21 in 16th place, while Alan Sandford got the better of Geoff Rice and Paul Sheard for first over-50. First Year 11 boy was Harry Kneen in 22nd.

Sian Coleman went off very quickly to lead the women’s race in the early stages, but Alice Forster gradually reeled her in and overtook to win with a time of 24.50 in 25th overall. She was 49s ahead of Coleman at the close.

There was a cracking run from Madison McMullan to claim third female and first Year 10 girl in 44th spot, closely followed by Year 11 girls Mia Dunwell and Catherine Perry of Northern AC. Boxer Nikki Arthur had another strong run to finish 55th and third senior woman, with Immie Birchall rounding off the first six females.

Lisa Dunwell and Caroline Caren had a close contest for the women over-40 honours in 83rd and 84th positions, while Janette Gledhill was the top over-50 not far behind in 88th, 10s in front of Maggie Watkins.

The first over-60 men were Ian Ronan and Ian Callister (80th and 96th respectively), while the leading over-60 females were Jane Rose and Rose Hooton (109th and 117th). Best over 70 was the unstoppable Dave Corrin in 124th.

thank you

l Nigel Maddocks, a leading member of promoting club Manx Fell Runners, and a few others lost time going to the aid of young Lucas Stennett who took a bit of a tumble. The latter is reported to be ok. It was great sportsmanship by everyone who stopped to help.

With one final round remaining at Colden on December 12, the leading men and women in the league are as follows: Gwilym Jones with a combined time of 36m 34s; Orran Smith 37.51; Tom Cringle 39.59. Women: Alice Forster 45.42; Sian Coleman 47.49; Mia Dunwell 49.07 (Yr11 junior).