I remember that when I joined the FRA, the first issue of the Fellrunner magazine that I got had a comment in the editorial about the arrival of races for ladies; looking back, the exact words were:
"The most significant development of the season is, in my view, the establishment of fell running for women." https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/docume...977_Autumn.pdf
Even so, in my early years in the sport I ran several races which were for men only. The strange thing is that I don't remember ever finding that odd, even though I had come into fell running from orienteering, a sport which has always accommodated women (albeit on slightly shorter courses than men).

That issue of Fellrunner magazine also contains an article about the Bland family of Borrowdale, including the following quote from Billy:
"I can't say that I will win any big races, but I expect to improve and go very close in races like Ennerdale, Wasdale and, of course, Borrowdale".
Does anyone on the Forum know if Billy Bland did ever manage any decent performances in those races?