MEMBERS old and new turned out for the annual Pickering Running Club championship race held at Dalby Forest.

More than 30 runners from the Ryedale club lined up for the 10.5km in-house trail event on a balmy evening.

The close conditions, undulating and slightly extended route made them work hard but they were pushed on by supporters.

First across the line in 40 minutes 19 seconds was defending champion Jayson Cavill, who despite his strong performance was disappointed not to have managed a sub-40 time.

Also keeping hold of his male 40 veteran title for another year was Steve Watson, who came home in 44-19 – much to the crowd’s delight.

But it was Paul Smith who pulled it out of the hat and clinched the male 50 trophy in an impressive time of 45-02.

Club coach Graham Harrison pipped Martin Connell across the finishing post in 46-01 beating Connell’s smooth 46-19 effort.

Next to finish was Richard Todd, whose steady start and hard push on the course’s tough incline saw him bag third in category and a time of 47-15. Experienced endurance runner and triathlete Andy Blades closely followed in 47-41 and club stalwart Nick Cousins came in at 48-06.

Ninth across the line was an exhausted but elated Lynn Humpleby, who managed to defend her open female trophy for another year.

Kim England, who has been upping the mileage for her long-distance events, came in at an effortless 49-38, nose-to-nose with newcomer Rob Newton at the finishing line.

Starting strongly but tiring after the gruelling four-kilometre ascent of Heck Dale, Simon Ridley finished in 49-51.

Following a recent wet and windy triathlon in the Lake District, Peter Winter clocked 50-06 and third in category.

Guest runner Russ Grayson was buoyed by his cheering family and came home in 51-15.

Ian Farrer (53-59) was next followed by Brian Reed (53-12) and Steve Hampshire (54-39), who couldn’t close the gap on the final descent to the finishing line.

The next three home – Stuart Moore (54-57), Peter Clisby (55-30) and Dave Simpson (56-35) all put in strong personal performances.

Bringing home the ladies was rapid improver Serena Partridge, whose 59-07 was an impressive effort earnt her another trophy and won the female 35 competition.

Jane Farrer (59-24) was followed by female 50 cup winner Shirley Tyrrell (59-43), who was delighted with her first club competition win.

A strong finish for Sarah Sisson (61-07) brought home a final flourish of ladies – Sadie Pattison (61-24), Rebecca Bruce (65-40), Tess Roebuck (65-40) and Rebecca Wright and Karen Farmer whose sprint finish tussle saw them finish in 66-33.

A tired but happy Lisa Heselwood finished in 67-18, Charlotte Perry in 71-44 and Marion Betts and Ailish Lilley crossed the line together in 76-14.

But runner of the evening went to the tenacious Kate Youngs, who battled on following a break from running and was awarded a special trophy for her dedication at the presentation evening at Lockton Village Hall following the race.

She said: “I was gobsmacked when I was presented with a trophy. The race was tough but it was a great club event.”