MORE than 100 walkers braved wind and rain this weekend to take part in an annual race across North Yorkshire.

The 18th Kilburn Kanter saw 139 people from across Yorkshire, Teesside and Lancashire battle it out to find the quickest walker in two events.

The annual competition is split into two categories, with participants entering either the 22-mile walk or the longer 30-mile walk, and every year the races are fiercely contested.

The walkers started at Kilburn Village Hall at 8am on Saturday and the first male participant home in the 30-mile walk finished in three hours and 34 minutes, with the first woman finishing in four hours and 42 minutes.

Both routes take the walkers through the Hambleton Hills and past Hesketh Hall, before the finish at Sutton Bank.

Derek Whaller, 65, a former competitor and chief controller of the race, said: "Although there weren't as many competitors as we've had in previous years, the event was still a big success.

"It's a very demanding walk and we had stewards along the routes to check that everyone was fine and, bar a few, everyone finished.

"We're looking forward to next year's event, which will be the same set-up hopefully and, as always, all the walkers will get drinks and hot food when they finish."