Last updated 19:45, Thursday, 10 July 2008

WEST Cumberland Orienteer Michael Pearson finished his week at the World Masters Orienteering Championships with a tremendous fourth placing in M60.

The competition was held at Marinha Grande, Portugal. His age grouping was the largest, with almost 450 competitors.

Pearson chooses his races with care now-a-days, since being able to compete in every race is no longer an option.

His preparation and rest for the Masters was obviously spot on. The course was 7km with 170m of climb through forested sand dunes, in extremely challenging technical terrain, which he completed in 58.37.

Many club members were also out at the weekend taking part in the Saunders Lakeland Mountain Marathon.

On the Kirkfell class Mike Harrison and Kevin Hodgson were sixth in nine hours 32 minutes and eight seconds.

Andrew and Mel Bradley were 16th in 10.12.01 and Kim Collison and Ally Love were 24th in 10.58.39

On the Carrock Fell class the father and son pairing of John and Lewis Taylor were 22nd in 10.26.35

On the Harter Fell class brother and sister Susan Skinner and Roger Thomas were fourth in 7.25.19 - a great performance.

On the Wansfell class father and daughter pairing, Graham and Charlotte Watson (pictured below) were a magnificent second in 6.01.58, just losing out to a similar pairing which included one of her rivals Katrin Harding. The Watsons were leading after day one but their three-minute margin was not enough for the second day’s race.

The club evening event was held on Harrot and Graystones near Lorton. Heavy thundery showers in the afternoon melted away to give dry and cool conditions for the evening.

Michael Noblett had an easy win from Alan Irving on the long, almost three minutes clear.

Junior, Lewis Taylor, had a great run to take fourth, with Charlotte Watson performing well in 10th place.

Nathaniel Green continues his assault on the short league with another good performance to keep his lead intact.

Once again the easy course attracted a great turnout of juniors from the school events. The area provided a tough challenge with steep climbs, which they more than coped with.

The evening event series continues throughout July and August, with a venue somewhere in West Cumbria each week. Details can be found on the website www.wcoc.co.uk or close to each Thursday on the answerphone 01768 895539.

Results Long (top 10): 1, Michael Noblett 33.51; 2, Alan Irving 36.30; 3, Michael Billinghurst 37.03; 4, Lewis Taylor 38.28; 5, Andrew Bradley 39.06; 6, Pete Nelson 41.15; 7, Chris Naylor 41.34; 8, John Slater 42.49; 9, Paul Johnson 43.40.

Short (top 10): 1, Roger Jackson 41.42; 2, Nathaniel Green 43.21; 3, Ged Hagan 45.36; 4, Fran McDonald 47.29; 5, Angela Jackson 49.18; 6, Richard Moss 50.53; 7, Jane Hornsby 51.02; 8, Robin Stansfield 51.22; 9, Dick Whitworth 53.06; 10, Brian Wilson 53.36.

Easy: 1, Philip Jennings 34.48; 2, Meghan Avery 38.28; 3, Joshua Selby 41.11; 4, Emily Hick 45.34; 5, Bramble Park 46.31; 6, Samuel Graham 46.35; 7, Mitchell Sloan 48.43; 8, Ruth Jennings 50.50; 9, Matthew Atkinson 69.57.