Typical start of the summer holidays weather, added a bit more interest to proceedings. Looks like a blanket finish in the men's, have seen a picture of the front 4 all lined out in the finish field, separated by less then 10 seconds. Billy in 5th makes the Championships a bit moree interesting going into Sedbergh and Shelf Moor.

Not long ago there'd be about 4 V40s in the top 10 and maybe an U23 in the top 20. 5 U23s in before the first vet in 18th place - good to see Joe Hudson (14:02 5000m/29:16 10000m over in the US this year) enjoying some of his summer holiday in Weardale, and the Sheffield/Dark Peak creche paying dividends, with Grant, Sharrock, Corden, Williams, Pannone.

The going was a bit heavier for the women after 170 men had churned the course up, but I think think Phil Williams was pleased that there was a line on the ground to follow! She had a fair gap at the fell gate, but Nic had closed this by the summit. From what I overheard Nic closed with the more direct line on the descent.

Spotted Dan Haworth trying to sneak into the finish field, jacket on and hood pulled up, having not found the summit checkpoint after pulling out a descent gap as the leaders ascended into the mist.