DISTANCE runner Kathryn Campbell peaked in spectacular fashion earlier this month by claiming ultra marathon glory in the picturesque Lake District.

The Pitreavie AAC Endurance (PAACE) member travelled south of the border recently to take part in the Lakes in a Day Ultra Run – spanning a route of 50 miles, and an ascent of 4,000 metres – and topped the bill to finish as first female.

Beginning at the top of the Lakes at Caldbeck, the race takes runners to the bottom at Cartmel – taking in the western shoreline of Lake Windermere along the way – which organisers say is "inspiring, daunting and stunning in equal measure".

Kathryn, who joined the club following the relaunch of Pitreavie Road Runners to PAACE, finished the challenging route in a time of 11 hours, 52 minutes and 42 seconds, nearly 40 minutes ahead of the second female, to finish a hugely impressive 23rd overall in a field of 380 competitors.

With numbers having risen from 30 to nearly 150 – approaching a similar size of membership to the track and field side of the club – since its relaunch, PAACE supports and promotes running on all terrains, and had members competing in other challenges across the country and beyond.

In Poland, Lukasz Cwiklewski took part in the Lesna Doba 24-hour Ultra, and covered 166 kilometres (103 miles) in 19 hours and 12 minutes to sit in second place, but unfortunately had to withdraw.

Closer to home, Christine Syme picked up the first female prize in the vintage category at the Aviemore 10K, clocking a fantastic time of 49:29, while 18 Pitreavie members entered the Lochore 10K.

Their best finishes came from John Cotton (third V40, 40:19), Keith Vandermotten (second V50, 43:14) and Debbie Cooper (third V60, 1:04.58).

There was a debut over 26 miles for David Henderson at the Loch Rannoch marathon, which he completed in three hours 31 minutes, while Ian Howett ran the unusually-named Spookasaurus Half Marathon, in Florida, in one hour 38 minutes.

Meanwhile, at the East District Cross-Country Relays, senior Pitreavie teams – over a longer 4K course – joined their junior counterparts in competing.

The senior women – Lauren Gordon (19:22), Leona Doherty (veteran, 21:57) and Lesley Mealing (veteran, 22:20) – finished 45th, while the veteran team of Morna Fleming (20:21), Nicola Moriarty (21:25) and Debbie Cooper (26:09) were 53rd.

Jeff Farquhar (veteran, 15:59), Craig Chisholm (16:42), Graham Gordon (16:14) and Gavin Major (17:57) led the senior men's A team to 50th place, while an incomplete senior men's team of Andrew Miller (18:13) and Craig Shields (21:00) also ran.

In further good news for the club, Farquhar has been selected to represent the Scotland Masters cross-country team at the upcoming British and Irish International, in Southport, on November 16.