Sunday saw the running of the popular Helmsley 10k which takes place on Easter Sunday each year. This year the event sold out reaching its 400 limit. Bright sunshine and a brisk, cold wind made the runners keen to get going. They soon warmed up on the 2 mile climb up Carlton Bank. The route then left the road leading runners on farm tracks and woodland paths. An exhilarating downhill charge followed flattening into a slog back into Helmsley for the finish. An unpleasant surprise awaited those runners taking longer than an hour, a brief but violent hail storm!
First back for Pickering Running Club was Ben Myers in a super swift time of 41 minutes 38 seconds, placing him 3rd M35 and 24th overall. Close on his heels was Chris Croft in 41 minutes 45 seconds, followed by Ryan Gaughan in 42 minutes 18 seconds and Paul Simpson in 42 minutes 55 seconds. Simon Jones was 1st M55 with his time of 43 minutes 9 seconds. Hot on his heels was Ollie Baxter in 44 minutes 10 seconds, followed by Mike Richmond in 44 minutes 28 seconds, Steve Lightfoot in 44 minutes 40 seconds, Richard Robinson in 45 minutes 15 seconds and Johnny Everett in 48 minutes 7 seconds. Paul Smith’s time of 48 minutes 46 seconds placed him 3rd M65 with Dave Owuor only 1 second behind in 48 minutes 47 seconds. Charles Corbett was next across the line for Pickering clocking 50 minutes 45 seconds followed by Lucy Saggers in 50 minutes 57 seconds, Lynn Humpleby in 52 minutes 9 seconds, Rich Johnson in 52 minutes 35 seconds, Serena Partridge in 54 minutes 6 seconds, Suzy Hodgson in 55 minutes 8 seconds and Lydia Adrian in 60 minutes 14 seconds. The hail storm hit as Nicola Wise approached the finish line in 68 minutes 36 seconds. There then followed a close contest between Dean Wise and Mike Punchard with Dean finishing in 73 minutes 29 seconds and Mike in 73 minutes 36 seconds. A great turnout from Pickering Running Club and thoroughly enjoyed by all.