It was another Sunday of dilemmas for the members of Pickering Running Club as the latest counter in the Winter Fell Race Series, Eskdale Eureka, clashed with the final race in the East Yorkshire Cross Country League held at Sewerby. For both races the weather was glorious, hardly a cloud in the sky, cool with a gentle breeze, perfect. Eskdale runners enjoyed wonderful views across the moors while Sewerby runners had beautiful blue coastal vistas across Bridlington Bay.

Eskdale Eureka was an 8.9 mile route with 1,500 feet of climb. Runners had to pay attention on the technical terrain with half hidden rocks beneath the heather. First back for PRC, and 2nd overall out of 103 runners, was Jayson Cavill in 1 hour 7 minutes. Darren Smith was next in 1 hour 15 minutes, placing him 13th overall.
Simon Rycroft was 3rd M50 and 21st overall in 1 hour 18 minutes. Kim Cavill finished in 1 hour 29 minutes, placing her 2nd F40 and 4th female out of 25. After a long break it was good to see Andy Harvey back racing and finishing strongly in 1 hour 42 minutes followed by David Stephenson in 1 hour 47 minutes. An exciting flurry from PRC came next with 3 runners clocking 1 hour 48 minutes. First was Sue Slack earning the 1st F60 place then Louise Bailey-Parkin and Nick Cousins. Debbie Rycroft was hot on their heels clocking 1 hour 49 minutes placing her 1st F55. Also in 1 hour 49 minutes Nicola Thorpe was 2nd F55. Despite twisting her knee Alice Hayter finished in 1 hour 50 minutes followed by Lynn Humpleby in 2 hours 7 minutes.

Sewerby was a 5.5 mile course, fairly firm underfoot except for some woodland and field sections of deep, gloopy mud. Richard Robinson was first back for PRC in 38 minutes 21 seconds placing him 3rd M45 and 20th overall out of 247 competitors. Simon Jones was close behind in 38 minutes 27 seconds, 2nd M55 and 22nd overall, followed by Mike Richmond in 38 minutes 34 seconds. Kelly Richmond’s time of 41 minutes 7 seconds placed her 3rd female. Kelly was followed by Kirsty Brown in 44 minutes 29 seconds. There was an exciting battle between Dave Owuor and Charles Corbett with Dave just winning out in 45 minutes 1 second
with Charles just 1 second behind in 45 minutes 2 seconds. Paul Smith was 2nd M65 with his time of 46 minutes and Karen Farmer-Scott was 1st F60 with her time of 46 minutes 43 seconds. Then came Rich Johnson in 47 minutes 11 seconds, Julie Ventress in 51 minutes 22 seconds, Suzy Hodgson in 53 minutes 59 seconds and Serena Partridge in 58 minutes 54 seconds. Another battle followed with Sally Brown just managing to stay in front of Dean Wise. Sally clocked 62 minutes 14 seconds while Dean clocked 62 minutes 15 seconds. Mike Punchard was next in 63 minutes 39 seconds followed by Debi Adams in 64 minutes 1 second and Nicola Wise in 67 minutes 51 seconds.

The race was followed by refreshments and presentation of the season trophies in Sewerby Village Hall. Kelly Richmond was presented with an engraved glass for 3rd female overall and Paul Smith received a medal for 2nd M65. The PRC Ladies Team came 4th in the series, just missing out on the shield, and the Mens Team placed 8th. All in all an excellent series of enjoyable and well organised races.