WARRINGTON Sports Personality of the Year Mark Kinch got to grips with The Grisly as he warms up for his defence of the British Fell Running Championship.

The Bingley Harriers runner from Padgate fancied his chances at The Grisly, reputed to be one of the toughest races in Britain based around 19 miles of Devon's south coast.

And on his debut, on a course he did not know, Kinch finished fourth and will be appearing on television having been featured in the race.

Kinch says: "I saw it as a challenge and fancied giving it a go.

"It was tougher than I expected and it is up there with the toughest of the fell races.

"This was all off-road, running through rivers, mud up to your waist, climbing cliff steps and running long sections of shingle beaches.

"But for a first go at it I was pleased with how it went. I haven't been put off and want another go at it next year.

"It was a big event, all the people in the town around Seaton came out to see it. Radio and television crews were there and I was interviewed before and after the race by Transworld Sport who were covering the event. They told me it will either be featured on their Saturday programme this weekend or next weekend."

Kinch's final preparation race for the new fell running season is this weekend near to Clitheroe with the Championship due to start in April.

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