Border Liners Orienteering Club triumphed against clubs from all over the country in a national competition held on Sunday.

In the finals of the annual CompassSport Cup & Trophy, held at Ashdown Forest in Sussex, the club fielded 20 competitors, ranging from 14-year-old Thomas Hartley, of Penrith, to 80-year-old Raymond Wren, of Bothel.

Border Liners lifted the trophy, beating 14 other finalists from a starting field of 50 small clubs.

The event was made up of 12 different courses ranging in length from 3km to 9km for different age groups.

Individual contestants score points for themselves and their team based on their finishing position in their age category.

Border Liners had four course winners.

Threlkeld’s Jeff Powell Davies won the class for men aged 45 to 59; Karen Parker, from Butterwick, near Bampton, won the women’s 60 to 65 years; Penrith’s Keith Tonkin took the men’s 65 to 70; and Brampton’s Stella Lewsley triumphed in the women’s 70 to 75 age group.

“What a fantastic team effort,” said club captain Andy Lewsley.

“We had 13 scoring runners all in the top 11 places.

“Everyone travelled a 700-plus mile round trip with some taking trains, buses and fellow competitors’ cars to get there.”

Two team members made particularly heroic efforts to attend.

Natalie Hawkrigg, from Caldbeck, and Penrith’s James Chapman had competed in the British Fell and Hill Relays Championships in Todmorden the previous day.

Natalie’s team won their category at that event, making it a very special weekend for her.

“We are always keen to introduce new people of all ages to the sport,” said club chairman Dan Parker.

“We’re holding an event, suitable for everyone including novices, on 1st November at Eycott Hill nature reserve, near Greystoke. All are welcome.”