Record numbers of runners, walkers and joggers set off from Barrow to Keswick yesterday to raise money for causes close to their hearts.

Almost 1500 competitors took on the 40 mile-long course which started in Legburthwaite, Keswick and ended in Hawcoat Park, Barrow.

Landing the coveted first spot this year was 42-year-old Jamie Schofield who finished the route in a time of four hours and 47 minutes.

Mr Schofield is a Keswick to Barrow veteran, having completed the course five years running.

He said: “I’m just absolutely over the moon to be honest.

“It feels great to come in first place and have all this support behind me, I couldn’t be happier.”

Mr Schofield ran for a number of charities, including North West Air Ambulance and Combat Stress.

Mhairi Gass was the first woman across the line in a time of six hours 13 minutes.

Competing in her seventh race, Ms Gass secured the top spot for engineering company team, Wood.

She said: “I found it hard but really good.

“This is the seventh time I’ve done it and the weather was perfect.”

Harvey Cooper was the first junior to finish in a time of seven hours and 5 minutes.

The 16-year-old from Barrow said: “It was tough, I definitely found it a lot harder than last year but it feels amazing to win.

“I came second last year so it feels great to get first this

year.”

This was followed by 15-year-old female junior winner, Niamh McNally who completed the course in seven hours and 47 minutes.

She said: “It was really hard. I probably didn’t do enough training, but I’m proud of doing so well.”

Among the thousands of runners, there were an estimated 500 teams competing for various causes and charities.

One of these was A Skye Full of Stars – a charity set up in 2017 following the death of much-loved teenage beauty queen and campaigner Skye Mitchell.

A team of 21 runners took part in the team effort, of which were 23-year-old Katy Fry and 23-year-old Katherine Hirst.

They said: “We’re doing it to raise money for people in the local area in memory of Skye Mitchell.

“We wanted to do something which celebrated her memory.”

“We found the race hard but so rewarding.”

Also running in memory of a loved one was Shaun Jones whose daughter, Katie, died two months ago.

He said: “I wanted to raise money for a new building for Sandside School which Katie attended.

“So far we’ve raised £1,000 for the school which we’re really proud of.”

A full list of K2B and C2B placings will be released in a 16-page special on Thursday.