Runners in the LDWA Filey Flyer last Saturday were treated to a beautiful crisp, sunny morning for this stunning race across the scenic countryside around Filey with some wonderful seascapes from the coastal path sections. The runners had to don more clothes than is usual for running to cope with the sub zero temperatures and although the frozen ground made the route less muddy than usual it also made it slippery in places and easy to turn an ankle on frozen ridges and molehills. Nick Cousins joined 175 runners for the longer route totalling 21.5 miles with nearly 1,500 feet of climb. He thoroughly enjoyed this friendly event with its supportive marshals and well stocked water stations managing to cross the line in a creditable 4 hours 14 minutes, faster than his previous time.
4 members of Pickering Running Club chose the shorter route, still a significant challenge at 16 miles. Out of the 140 competitors Karen Farmer-Scott was 4th female with her impressive time of 3 hours 15 minutes. Russ Charlton was only 2 minutes behind in 3 hours 17 minutes. They were followed by Sue Slack and David Stephenson who finished together in 3 hours 43 minutes enjoying the challenge immensely and certainly appreciating the well deserved treacle pudding at the end.

The Commondale Clart took place on Sunday, the latest counter in the Winter Fell Race Series. Again the weather was sunny and icy so not so much clart but plenty of trip and slip hazards. 102 competitors braved the 5.5 mile romp across the moors with just over 600 feet of climb. PRC certainly gathered a good haul of prizes with both the male and female teams bagging 1st place. Tom Pilley was first to cross the line clocking 38 minutes 45 seconds with Jayson Cavill only 10 seconds behind him. Jayson’s time of 38 minutes 55 seconds placed him 1st M45. Dave Smith was 3rd M55 in 43 minutes 28 seconds followed by Nick Outram in 45 minutes 12 seconds. Simon Rycroft’s time of 45 minutes 32 seconds earned him the prize for 2nd M50
and Mike Richmond was 3rd M45 with his time of 46 minutes 5 seconds, closely followed by Richard Robinson in 46 minutes 46 seconds. Kelly Richmond’s time of 47 minutes 56 seconds placed her 1st female
and Karen Farmer-Scott, despite running the Filey Flyer the previous day, earned 1st F60 with her time of 55 minutes 48 seconds. Lynn Humpleby was 2nd F45 in 56 minutes 49 seconds, Lucy Saggers was 2nd F50 in 58 minutes 38 seconds, Nicola Thorpe’s time of 62 minutes 1 second placed her 1st F55 and Alice Hayter was 3rd F45 in 62 minutes 40 seconds. Louise Bailey-Parkin was close behind in 63 minutes 32 seconds

Further afield Andrew Bates took part in the Rasselbock Running Winter Event in Sherwood Forest. In this challenge competitors could run as many 5.8k laps in 6hours as they chose. Andrew was pleased to achieve 5 laps in 3.5 hours totalling 29k and was rewarded with a beautiful forest themed medal.