They faced icy conditions and rain but hundreds of runners turned out to take part in a 10k race across the England-Scotland border.

The X Border Challenge 10k began in Carlisle yesterday morning, with competitors making the journey over to Gretna.

If runners weren’t already up against it with the distance, then the weather made the challenge even tougher. They raced in almost freezing temperatures and just moments after setting off the heavens opened and competitors were hit hard by heavy rainfall.

Over the border they were greeted by some icy conditions, with organisers having to grit the final stages of the race. But it didn’t stop Jonathan Cox, from Penrith-based Eden Runners, from winning the race.

He came over the finish line with a time of 33 minutes nine seconds.

The 26-year-old said: “I haven’t done this before but I just heard about it through friends. I absolutely loved it. I try to compete in races as much as I can.”

Jonathan managed to pip Blain Rooney, from Broughton Moor, who was representing Ellenborough Athletics Club, and James Buis, from Carlisle-based Border Harriers, who finished second and third respectively.

The high-flying trio were just three of about 460 runners who took part in the event.

Event director Mike James, from Cumbria-based Endurance Sports, said: “This is a record number this year, the biggest field we’ve ever had. The event seems to work better in January. I think it’s with the whole New Year, new you idea. People get inspired to do it and come to give it a go.

“We do Gretna to Carlisle in the summer but in January we decided to do it in reverse.”

Click here for X Border Challenge photo slideshow
<hr>

The event, which began at Kingmoor Park, as a whole has been going for about five years.

It was supported by a team of 20 marshalls from Carlisle’s DH Runners and Carlisle Rotary Club, who all gave their time voluntarily to make sure the event ran as smoothly as possible.

Peter Campbell, 54, from Harraby, Carlisle, was representing Border Harriers during the race.

He said: “This will be my second time doing it this way but I’ve been running for seven years overall as my children run for Border Harriers. This is a good flat course which is good for my time.”