Blizzards, bogs, tussock and some welcome sunshine have made for varied conditions recently for the fell-running fraternity.

Bingley’s Victoria Wilkinson launched the English Championship series with a win amongst a top-quality field on Sunday in Shropshire.

The Long Mynd Valleys Race is one of the more brutal of the medium-category races around.

Lloyd Taggart (Dark Peak) took the win for the men.

On the same day, the 25-mile Trollers Trot long-distance footpath featured a combined ascent of 3,064ft.

Nearly 400 left Threshfield for the multi-terrain challenge around the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Otley AC women dominated, with Karen Best (3hr 34min 29sec) and Laura Martin home in first and second.

Unfortunately, Renee Saxton retired ill, while on course for a top-three clean sweep.

Matt John (Abbey Runners) was first overall with a time of 2:53:36, several minutes clear of runner-up Andrew Dobby (Harrogate Harriers), the 2010 champion.

Other local runners were well represented with Shane Green (Pudsey & Bramley) and Barry Mordue (Baildon Runners) coming eighth and 14th respectively.

History repeated itself at the Ilkley Moor Fell race.

The course was adjusted on the day to avoid a mud-bath underfoot but this didn’t prevent Graham Pearce (Pudsey & Bramley) and Emma Clayton (Bingley Harriers) winning the race in a repeat of their 2010 placements.

Pearce’s performance (37:20) helped Pudsey & Bramley men’s team take first place, while Ilkley Harriers took the women’s prize.

Ian Rowbotham was 25th overall and first over-50 while Emma Barclay was third woman and first over-40 lady.

The Noonstone Fell race included 2,300ft of climbing and nine miles of treacherous bogs and tussocks above Todmorden.

Cumbrian Tom Addison beat several Calder Valley locals.

Keighley & Craven’s Stephen Brock was sixth in 77min 50sec. He just pipped Wharfedale’s Nicolas Charlesworth, whose consolation was the over-40s prize.

The race also saw good turnouts from Skyrac, Baildon, Pudsey Pacers and Pudsey & Bramley.