JAYSON CAVILL'S star continued to rise as a fine success in the iconic Guisborough Moor fell race secured both the category crown and overall title in the Esk Valley winter series.

This was the series' penultimate race and it brought some outstanding results for Pickering Running Club, led by Cavill.

Competitors travel from far and wide for this event, which, at 20 kilometres, is the longest in the series. Starting in Guisborough, runners have more than a mile to climb before taking an undulating route across the moors and ascending to Captain Cook's Monument.

Roseberry Topping marks the second climb of the race, then it’s upwards to Highcliff Nab after a gradual slog along the moor. There is then a fast, final descent.

Cavill drew away from his competition on the technical descent, and, aided by good conditions, clocked 87 minutes 49 seconds to beat his previous time here by almost two minutes.

Continuing with a strategy of running all of the hills rather than employing tactical walking, Steve Watson was next Pickering ace in, finishing fourth in a tough category, in 101-22.

Russ Grayson’s first season of fell racing continues to go from strength to strength as his distances increase. He was next PRC man home in 109-45, finding this longer course easier going than the tricky Blakey Blitz.

Mike Wilson was fourth in category when registering a course personal best in 110-42. This was Wilson’s last event before the Yorkshire Three Peaks. After some challenging long-distance events, Nick Cousins also fared well, finishing in 115-15 for fifth in category.

Richard Todd (119-24) and veteran Mike Hetherton (121.44), who was first in category, completed the men’s team.

The PRC ladies team won this event last year but had only two runners this time.

Kim England was first back, as sixth lady overall and fourth in category. After running out of energy at around 10 miles, she managed to finish strongly in 111-07, almost three minutes faster than last year.

In her first appearance in this race, Lynn Humpleby timed 136-14, after relishing the fast descents.