PICKERING Running Club members packed the top 10 at the Saltergate Circuit challenge event.

The Long Distance Walking Association and Scarborough & Ryedale Mountain Rescue hold the event annually in Stape, and while it is not a race, many runners compete.

A varied and technical route, with a 16 or 24-mile option comprising open moor, rutted fields and several sharp climbs, the circuit requires competitors to navigate their way to several checkpoints en route to the finish.

Kim England was hoping to beat last year’s time of four hours and 16 minutes on the long route and finish close to Nick Cousins, whose previous time was 4:08.

She was aided by team-mate Jayson Cavill, who decided to hold back after illness had not allowed him to train for the event.

Cavill, who still holds the record for the overall winner of 3:16, gave England the push she needed to shatter her time, place second overall and break the ladies’ record by 34 minutes, clocking 3:33.

With only a couple of miles to go, England and Cavill overtook Andy Blades, who, after his heroic effort of running 221 miles around New York, began to slow on the long climb to the end.

Cousins was also overtaken in the last mile, but was pleased with his fourth place overall and an excellent time of 3:35.

Blades came in five minutes later, giving Pickering four of the top five places on the long route.

Steve Watson set off with an agenda to lead his team-mates on the 16-mile route.

He kept the eventual winner in his sights for most of the course, finishing only two minutes behind in a fantastic 1:57.

Lorraine Laycock decided on the short route when she got to the half way point. She picked up speed to complete the route as first lady, in fifth place overall, in 2:23.

In training for other events, Bob Horsman, Simon Ridley, Richard Todd and Andy Mitchell all crossed the line together two minutes later.

Local lady Sue Slack helped Mike Hetherton find his way around her backyard and they came in next, in 3:18, followed by Hannah Bosomworth and Claire Smith, also running together and finishing in 3:33.

The next Pickering pair, Philly Hare and Sally Brown, also in training for upcoming long distances, finished together in 3.35.

Ailish Lilley managed a fast finish to come in ahead of Marion Bets in 3:42 and 3:43 respectively.

Charlotte Perry rounded off an awesome day for Pickering in 4:19, meaning the whole team finished in the top half of the field.