HELM Hill’s James Knox claimed victory in the first race of the English Championships when he took top spot in the under 16 Pendle Fell Race on Saturday.

A full team of Helm Hill juniors headed down to Pendle for the championship races and Knox led the way as he edged a close contest from Wharfedale’s James Hall, with team mates Lauren Munro-Bennett 21st, Jake Lowther 35th and Jonathan Lowther 36th.

Jacob Aubrey was a credible ninth in the under 12 race, less than a minute behind winner Charlie Lowrie of Wharfedale, while Maisy Redmayne, Imogen Burrow and Mia Senior finished well in 31st, 37th and 43rd respectively.

In the under 14 race, there were strong runs from Michael Hutchinson in 32nd, Heidi Murray in 39th and Georgia Stevens in 40th place.

Helm Hill senior Tom Addison completed the 4.5 mile course in 32.19 to finish third in the men's event and Ambleside’s Ben Abdelnoor finished 12th.