Pickering Running Club members have climbed great heights in a variety of races - led by Jayson Cavill who took a splendid second spot in spectacular Snowdonia.

Speedster Cavill took on the first event in the inaugural UK Sky Running series, the V3K, in Snowdonia.

The series was founded in the Italian Alps and attracts the trail running world’s big names. The Welsh 3000s route was the first to be held in the UK, and comprises 15 peaks, all over 3000 foot.

Tackling infamous ridges such as Crib Goch and Tryfan, the 34-mile course was extremely technical in places, and dense mist on the tops made the going treacherous over the rocks and boulders.

Cavill was at the front from the start, using his strong descending skills to stay ahead of the pack. However, a navigational error meant he had to rely on his map and compass to get back on track, adding mileage and ascent.

He said: “It was very thick fog on top of the course and, even though it was well marked out ,and we’d been on a recce, I dropped down before Yr Elen and went off course a long way so I got split up with Michael who I was sharing the lead with.

"I got back on course, got my head down, saw a marshal who told me Michael had come in 30 minutes earlier. I was amazed I was still in second place."

Cavill clocked a time of eight hours 39 minutes.

In the York Road Race League, the notorious Bishop Wilton race attracted a smaller field, perhaps because of the tough course.

The 10-kilometre loop takes runners up a long gradual climb for the first couple of miles and drops them down a steep descent back into the village.

Continuing his excellent form, Simon Jones came an impressive 25th in 39 minutes 23 seconds.

He had to wait a while to cheer his team-mates in, as Andy Harvey was next home in 50-49. The next race in the series – a flat, quick course – will surely see him break the 50-minute barrier.

Paul Tate-Smith took on his toughest 10k yet to complete in 52-34. The ladies were next home, with Serena Partridge improving last year’s time in 54-06 and Karen Farmer on her heels in 54-18.

Enjoying the sunny evening, Nicola Wise finished in 61-25 with husband Dean not far behind in 64-32. Just getting back into racing, Kate Youngs crossed the line in 72-05.

Veterans Nick Cousins and Mike Hetherton travelled to the picturesque Maybeck on the North York Moors to compete in the Maybeck 3 Crosses fell race, part of the Esk Valley Summer Series.

At 7.5 miles long with 984 feet of ascent, it is one of the flatter courses, but boggy moor and some tricky navigation made it harder. Competitors had a window in the weather and, despite a low turnout of 36 runners, the PRC men both enjoyed the race - and came away with prizes.

Cousins had a good run, finishing in 62-44 for third in category, while Hetherton went slightly off course but still managed to complete in 75-28, taking second in category.