PATRICK Boyd of Horwich RMI Harriers became the British Open Fell Runners Association's new champion when he beat reigning champion Andy Smith in an exciting race at Wasdale Head.

Patrick went into the race with a four-point lead but still had to finish in front of Smith to win the title.

The race up Kirkfell, a 2,600ft mountain in the Wasdale Valley, was the culminating race in this demanding championship which consisted of 18 races with the best 12 results from each athlete to count towards the title.

Patrick finished the race over a minute clear of Smith to be crowned the new champion.

Patrick had already shown tremendous form in Austria recently when competing in the World Mountain Running Trophy's open race where he finished in 20th place from an international field of nearly 300 runners. The two weeks of altitude in Austria put the final touches to his training schedule, but an achilles injury just two weeks before the Wasdale race cast doubts on his fitness, but the forced rest period spent sea fishing in Ireland, and the recuperative effects of a few pints of the local black nectar, seemed to work wonders as Patrick stormed to win his first British title.

Patrick, who is still only 22 years of age, now follows some famous professional fell runners on the roll of honour which started in 1970 when the legendary Fred Reeves first won the trophy.

He is now looking forward to a few weeks' easy training before embarking on a heavy Winter's mileage in preparation for next season when the World Trophy hosts are Czechoslovakia.

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