TWO members of Pickering Running Club hit new peaks as they took on a race in an unfamiliar area.

Jayson Cavill and Kim England travelled to Buxton for the second in the UK Skyrunning series, the Peak Skyrace - with Cavill winning and England finishing as second woman.

The tough 30-mile course has no less than 2,000 metres of ascent, with constant undulation and some steep, technical climbs and descents up Shutlingsloe and Shining Tor. Taking in some of the most scenic parts of the White Peak area of the Peak District, competitors were faced with rocky ridgelines, moorland, fields and rooty forest trails.

Cavill led from the start and ran comfortably for most of the race, despite being tailed by two highly-rated runners. After losing out on first place in the Welsh 3000s race, Cavill was determined to succeed this time, and his tactics panned out perfectly. Saving his legs for the final long descent back into Buxton paid off and Cavill dropped his competition a few miles from the end, running hard off Shining Tor and crossing the line first in four hours 22 minutes 52 seconds.

This race was his last preparation event for the 101-kilometre CCC (Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix) ultra-marathon in the Alps in a few weeks.

It was a different race for England, who had suffered with mild illness during the week and decided to take it easy.

After a tough first 10 miles, she picked up due to an improved fuelling strategy and began running well, enjoying the varied route. She finished in 5-38-15, around half an hour faster than she had expected.

Meanwhile, PRC fielded a solid men’s team in the Gribdale Gallop, an aptly named 7.5-mile fell race with 1,340 feet of ascent. The course comprises some landmarks of the area, with Captain Cook's Monument as the first tough climb followed by a dash across the moor, and an out and back up Roseberry Topping.

Enjoying continuing success, Russ Grayson was first home for PRC in 63 minutes 44 seconds. His consistent performances bode well for his first marathon attempt in a few months’ time.

Not far behind in 66-47 was fell race lover Nick Cousins. With a few long-distance events in his legs, Cousins found the route tough.

Fireman Andy Blades, after a break from racing, was next in, in 67-08, while Russ Charlton completed the team.

Serena Partridge had a race while on holiday in Cornwall - the St Ives 10k. The course ran the complete length of the beach at Hayle before turning inland and tackling the sand dunes. Partridge clocked 58-15 for 67th place.