PICKERING runners travelled to the Lake District to tackle the gruelling Cumbrian fells in two races.

Long-distance ace Lorraine Laycock put months of training in action for the Lakeland 100 – a 105-mile circular route that takes in an incredible 6,000 feet of ascent, passing through Pooley Bridge and returning to Kentmere and Ambleside.

Out of 300 competitors, only 192 finished in the 40-hour time limit.

Perfect pacing and a determined attitude ensured Laycock a time of 35 hours 14 minutes 30 seconds and 92nd place overall.

Training partners Bob Horsman and Steve Watson travelled to Keswick for the 41st Borrowdale Fell Race.

The gruelling 17-mile event takes in four tough ascents totalling 7,000 feet, including Scafell and Great Gable in misty and wet conditions.

Watson completed the challenging course in 4-31-20 and Horsman improved his previous time by three minutes clocking 4-46-50.

Horsman said: “Every year I say ‘never again’. One year I will mean it. It was tough but I was pleased with my time especially in such tricky conditions.”

A group of Pickering Running Club (PRC) members stayed closer to home for their fun on the hills.

Mike Hetherton, Serena Partridge and Kate Youngs took part in the eight-mile James Herriot Run at Castle Bolton near Leyburn, where the hot conditions took toil.

Hetherton, despite injuring himself in a fall, clocked 78 minutes 15 seconds, Partridge 88-28 and Youngs 106-12.

Four members took part in the Esk Valley Summer Series Cock Howe and Beyond race, in Chop Yat, Bilsdale.

The seven-mile course takes in a steep climb to the top of the moor before circling near Bilsdale mast for a fast decent.

First home for the club was Russ Grayson (51-08) in 28th position with Russ Charlton in pursuit (54-19).

Leading the ladies home was Lynn Humpleby (61-13) followed by Partridge (76-00).

A group of beginners took on the challenges of fell running at a new event called Ravenscar Rumble. Organised by the National Trust, the four-mile race was billed as an introduction to hill running.

Leading the PRC novices home was a determined Sue Robson in 52-42, scooping her age category prize – an incredible achievement given her recent graduation from the club's beginners’ course.

Other members who took part were Lynn Humpleby (45-51), Jennie Young (63-53), Sally Raines (66-51), Steph Fahey (66-52), Jenny Knowles (69-36), Laura Fargher (70-05) and Jane Simpson (74-52).