TOM Adams' sparkling return from injury continued apace with victory at the Tolkien Trail 10k at Hurst Green near Clitheroe.

Organised by Pennine Trails, runners were invited to follow in JRR Tolkien's footsteps and race through the enchanting woods and epic scenery that inspired the stories of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit'.

But an undulating, mixed-terrain surface - dampened by rain - wasn't enough to slow down Adams.

He moved to the head of affairs at the start on the avenue of the stunning Stonyhurst College and then enjoyed a closely-fought tussle with Ben Fish, of Blackburn Harriers.

It was the Ilkley Harrier who proved strongest in the closing stages, clocking a superb time of 32 minutes and 54 seconds to win by seven seconds - the pair over three minutes clear of the third-placed finisher.

Adams has relished taking on fellow Harrier Jack Wood over the last couple of months but this weekend the pair were kept apart, with Wood tackling the fearsome Kentmere Horseshoe in the Lakes on Sunday.

Packed into its 17km are plenty of steep climbs and Wood again made the top 10, taking sixth in one hour 37 minutes 48 seconds behind winner Garry Greenhow, of Ambleside AC.

Iain Gibbons managed to pack in two fell races within a few days. Having come ninth on the out-and-back course at Cracoe, he was then 11th at the Ambleside Sports on Thursday, on each occasion chasing home winner Simon Bailey, of Mercia.

It was a busy week too for Hilda Coulsey, starting with the latest Leeds Evensplits 5k at the Brownlee Centre.

On a baking hot evening, she registered 25.38 for first place in her FV65 age category, while Nathan Edmondson was sixth overall in 16.45.

And then on Saturday, she was the only Ilkley runner to travel to the Piling 10k on quiet country roads near Lancaster.

She was aiming for an age PB of under 51 minutes, only missing out by a narrow margin, crossing the line in 51.38.

Jim Ryder was also the lone Harrier in the James Herriot Country Trail Race from Castle Bolton over 8.7 miles and featuring 1,120 feet of climbing.

The route began with a long grassy climb on to the fell side before following farm tracks along the top and back down through fields to the finish, with Ryder taking 18th place in 1.04.38.

And a special mention this week for an extraordinary feat from two Ilkley stalwarts.

Nick Pearce and Pete Shields have both had health challenges in recent times and decided a new running adventure was needed.

So they chose to return to their old haunts and climb the highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales as fast as they could by getting to them by public transport only.

Setting off from Burley-in-Wharfedale late on Monday (21.17), they arrived back on Friday evening (18.23) having conquered Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon.

The trip, on what was the warmest week of the year so far, included 15 separate train journeys, six bus rides, a total of 1,303 miles travelling and the 30-plus miles of climbing.

"It was an interesting adventure that highlighted our transport system, tourism, people and those glorious mountains!" said Shields afterwards

Results: Leeds Evensplits 5k: 1 Jonny Johnson, Rotherham Harriers, 16.11; 6 Nathan Edmonson 16.45; 53 James Greenlay 20.57 (Junior); 102 Hilda Coulsey 25.38. 135 finished.

Ambleside Sports fell race: 1 Simon Bailey, Mercia 14.00; 11 Iain Gibbons 17.36, 84 finished.

Tolkien Trail 10k: 1 Tom Adams 32.54, 246 finished; Piling 10k: 1 Ross Campbell Barrow in Furness Striders 33.31; 50 Hilda Coulsey 51.38, 86 finished.

Kentmere Horseshoe Fell Race: 1 Garry Greenhow, Ambleside AC, 1.33.24; 6 Jack Wood 1.37.48, 271 finished; James Herriot Country Trail Race: 1 Tom Levi 57.37; 18 Jim Ryder 64.38, 203 finished.