WARRINGTON'S mountain marvel Mark Kinch is just three races away from his fourth British Fell Running Championship title in five years.

The Padgate man, who has pulled away from the field after two midweek victories, will be taking to the fells over the next three weekends to seal his success.

Kinch, who runs for Bingley Harriers, is back to his top form after being sidelined with a virus which ended his hopes of appearing for his country in this weekend's world championships on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

He said this week: "Isn't it typical. The virus got me and I couldn't compete in the trials and I missed out. Now the event is here and I have hit form.

"We should do well out there though as there is still a strong team competing for the country."

Kinch, after missing out on the worlds, turned his attention to competing in the Snowdon Marathon instead which will is at the end of October.

And as part of his build-up to that Kinch took part in the gruelling Peris Horseshoe Race in north Wales at the weekend.

He scored a superb victory. The 19 mile event included 9,000 feet of climbing and, as Kinch says: "It's one of the hardest events on the calendar."

The race included crossing four peaks, finishing off on Snowdon. Kinch won it in 3hrs 20mins which compares to him usually running races that last no longer than one hour.

It was a good weekend for Warrington with John Hey also finishing in the top 10. The Warrington Athletics Club runner was seventh in 3hrs 41mins.

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