JAYSON CAVILL finished an impressive ninth place overall to lead home a good turn-out of Pickering Running Club members in the Beacon Race at Danby.

Conditions were hazardous with melting packed ice in many places along the eight-mile route. There were also wet and sloppy areas due to snow melt and several expanded streams to be crossed.

Cavill finished in 64 minutes 27 seconds, having started steadily.

He travelled well through the middle part of the race and but for a slight route error late on may have grabbed a place or two higher.

Martin Connell put in his best performance for 18 months. His choice of wearing limited clothing but large gloves to keep circulation going paid off as he clocked 74-34 for 16th place in his tough over-40s category.

Mike Hetherton was on good form and came through strongly late on to claim first prize in the veterans’ competition in 76-55.

A heavy-legged Nick Cousins had to dig deep to complete the course in 77-18 but was rewarded with sixth place in category. Peter Winter, struggling for form, scrambled his way around in 78-04 and was ninth in category.

Dean Wise completed the men’s team by claiming 10th place in his category in a time of 114-01.

Kim England ran well for fourth in category in 79-39 with Lorraine Laycock a creditable sixth, two minutes behind. These results have lifted England and Laycock to first and second respectively in their category in the overall Cleveland Winter Series.

Lynn Humpleby was 11th in category in 96-10, while Philly Hare was second lady veteran in 112-06.

The ladies’ team event is competitive in every race. This time Wetherby triumphed, with Pickering third. New Marske Harriers did not enter a team in this event, which means the Pickering women have taken the overall lead in the Ladies’ Team Winter League table.