It was a great turnout from Pickering Running Club for the Helmsley 10k, a popular race held on Easter Sunday each year. The multi terrain course has a tough start with a 2 mile road climb up Carlton Bank. Then the fun really starts as the route follows an off-road track through woodland finally opening out to wonderful views across the Vale of Pickering and a joyous grassy downhill romp back into Helmsley. Runners have to save some energy for the final road section to the finish. The weather was perfect with a chilly start keeping runners cool on the climb and dry conditions underfoot. First back for PRC was Chris Croft in a super swift 39 minutes 5 seconds placing him 14th out of 304. Simon Jones was next sprinting across the line in 40 minutes 45 seconds placing him 1st M55. Richard Robinson was next in 42 minutes 22 seconds just staying ahead of Paul Simpson whose time of 42 minutes 23 seconds placed him 4th M40. Mike Richmond finished in 42 minutes 30 seconds followed by Kelly Richmond in 43 minutes 48 seconds placing her 3rd female overall out of 131 females. Kelly was followed by Russ Grayson in 46 minutes 48 seconds and Adam Lloyd, who in his first race with PRC achieved an excellent time of 47 minutes 58 seconds. Paul Smith was 1st M65 with his time of 48 minutes 31 seconds. Jessica Chadwick was next in 49 minutes 26 seconds achieving a course personal best. Then came Richard Johnson in 49 minutes 49 seconds, Andrew Bates in 50 minutes 17 seconds and Lynn Humpleby in 53 minutes 16 seconds placing her 3rd F45. Suzy Hodgson and Charles Corbett both clocked 54 minutes exactly. They were followed by Serena Partridge in 60 minutes 5 seconds, Karen Harper in 61 minutes, Lucy Saggers in 61 minutes 48 seconds, Dean Wise in 63 minutes 54 seconds, 4th M70, Sally Edwards in 64 minutes 57 seconds and Nicola Wise in 69 minutes 31 seconds, 4th F65.

Sunday also saw the 129th running of the Boston Marathon, a very different type of race! Pam and Colin Garnett joined the 28,000 competitors, who included Paula Radcliffe making a very impressive comeback.
Both Pam and Colin thoroughly enjoyed this well-organised event despite the cheeky hills and achieved very good times with Colin finishing in 3 hours 47 minutes and Pam in 5 hours 33 minutes.