Pickering Runners were faced with a difficult choice on Sunday; whether to run the first race in the Winter Fell Race Series, the Viking Chase, or the first race in the East Yorkshire Cross Country League at Bishop Wilton, the decision being especially difficult for those in line for prizes. Whichever they choose they were treated to beautiful warm sunny weather with wonderfully clear views over stunning scenery. The clash of league races meant that 31 runners from PRC were racing on Sunday which might be a record.

The Viking Chase was the more challenging option. Based at Lord Stones, on the northern edge of the North York Moors, the 8 mile route had over 1,500 feet of climb and tricky descents on slippery rocks. In his first race with PRC, Robbie Preston stormed home in a brilliant time of 1 hour 6 minutes placing him second out of 90 competitors. Also having an excellent run, Dave Smith was 2nd M55 in a time of 1 hour 14 minutes and was 13th overall. Simon Rycroft was next in 1 hour 24 minutes followed by Russ Grayson in 1 hour 31 minutes. Kim Cavill was 2nd F40 and 6th female with her fabulous time of 1 hour 35 minutes. Lucy Saggers crossed the line in 1 hour 40 minutes placing her 3rd F55. Lucy was followed by Lynn Humpleby in 1 hour 47 minutes and Alice Hayter in 1 hour 54 minutes.

The Female team were 2nd, just one point behind Loftus and Whitby.

The Cross Country race was based at Bishop Wilton. The lovely route, often through private land, on the scarp slope of the Wolds was just short of 6 miles and had over 800 feet of climb. Ryan Gaughan was first back for PRC speeding across the line in 38 minutes 32 seconds, which placed him 4th overall out of 363 competitors. Josie Rawes, in her first race for PRC put in an exceptional performance, her time of 42 minutes 37 seconds placing her 1st female. Mike Richmond was next in 43 minutes 8 seconds 3rd M45, 28th overall followed by Simon Jones in 43 minutes 51 seconds, 2nd M55. Then came Richard Robinson in 46 minutes 4 seconds and Steve Lightfoot, also running his first race with PRC, in 46 minutes 54 seconds. Kirsty Brown was on marvellous form, knocking 8 minutes off last year’s time, she sprinted home in 50 minutes 18 seconds, 11th female. Kirsty was followed by Paul Smith in 52 minutes 56 seconds, Emily Loftus in 53 minutes 45 seconds, Andrew Garside in 54 minutes 40 seconds, Andy Harvey in 55 minutes 5 seconds, Dave Owuor in 55 minutes 26 seconds, Mike Wilson in 56 minutes, Nicola Thorpe in 60 minutes 13 seconds, Jo Towler in 60 minutes 30 seconds, Rich Johnson in 60 minutes 38 seconds and Serena Partridge in 64 minutes 9 seconds. Jenny Richard’s’ time of 68 minutes 24 seconds placed her 2nd F65. Then came Carol Wilson in 69 minutes 7 seconds, Mike Punchard in 71 minutes 57 seconds, Karen Harper in 73 minutes 8 seconds and yours truly was pleased to finish happily in 79 minutes 34 seconds.