18 MONTHS ago when a Wharfedale Harriers fell runner broke his neck in a cycling accident and was extremely lucky not to be permanently paralysed, getting back on the road would be last thing on most people's mind.

But not Ted Mason who was determined to return to his athletic prowess as soon as the scaffolding was removed from his head.

Despite, there being very few races to take part in during the last eight months, his hard training schedule has brought him back to being top dog when it comes to local fell races.

The Appletreewick farmer set the fastest time (Four hours, 40 minutes) in the 50k (31 miles) 'Yorkshire Trod', organised by another local runner, Mel Steventon of Due North Events.

The event started and finished at Grassington Institute, with the now customary Covid precautions in place, of course. Face masks were not required during the actual run.

From the village, on a mix of rough tracks, riverside and high moorland paths, the route headed out over the moors above Threshfield to Weets Top, Malham Tarn, Arncliffe, Litton, Buckden, Starbotton, Kettlewell, returning to Grassington via the Dales Way.

The rainy conditions certainly did not dampen the spirits of the 40 or so runners.

Mason also took the V40 title after he was almost 10 minutes quicker than Nathanael Booker from Cheshire, and Skipton's Julian Hood.

In the ladies race, local runners Lucy Mallinson and Sue Marshall finished in fourth and fifth respectively, with both taking their age category titles in the process.

In 2021, there is set to be a 100k event added to the event for those who like the ultra marathons.

Visit duenorthevents.com for more information.