A future fell running star will be the first recipient of the Pete Bland Bursary.

One young Cumbrian fell runner will have some of the expenses taken off their shoulders with a career boosting bursary.

The Bursary was created in honour of Pete Bland, the former Fell Race Manager of the annual August Bank Holiday weekend show, whose name was synonymous with fell racing and who sadly passed away of Covid. 

Pete was a successful racer and a champion at many famous fell events, from Ambleside Sports to the elite KIMM (now OMM).

Pete had a passion for helping young fell runners pursue their ambitions within the sport, so a £500 Bursary to help a young person’s sporting development, was announced at last year’s Grasmere Lakelands Sports and Show.

Applications for the Bursary close on June 30 and will be judged by both the Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show directors and members of Pete Bland’s family. 

 In 2023, Pete’s widow, Ann, and his son, Matt, stepped into his shoes, to run the fell racing programme, they will also have a say in who is granted the money.

The bursary focuses on developing young local talent, the judges are looking for a male or female fell runner, they must be under 18 years old and from Cumbria. 

Grasmere Lakeland Sports and Show Chairman, John Hibbert said: “With athletic clubs across the north heading to Grasmere Sports’ fell racing events – for many the pinnacle of the fell racing year – it is important that the Bursary recipient be someone who wants to be a local flag-bearer and talisman or woman for the sport.

“However, what we will also be ideally looking for, is an applicant for whom the £500 will make a real difference and be the financial catalyst that perhaps enables them to step up a level in their fell running career.  It could, for instance, perhaps provide the opportunity for them to compete further afield, gaining more experience, or to enjoy a different and more advanced training regime.”

 The winner of the Pete Bland Bursary will be announced around the end of July.

For more information, visit: www.grasmeresports.com