FAIRYTALES came true last week for Pickering Running Club as two members battled with – and beat - some of the giants of international trail running, while six more became “princesses” for the day.

After spending almost two weeks exploring the Alps around Mont Blanc, Jayson Cavill and Kim England competed against several thousand other runners, including world elites, in the CCC and OCC.

The two events are part of a running festival based in Chamonix, France, which culminates in the prestigious ultra race, the UTMB.

Cavill earned his place in the CCC - named after the three towns on the route, Courmayeur (Italy), Champex (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France) – by completing other races in the previous year that ensure runners are capable of taking on this gruelling course.

The 60-mile CCC climbs 6,100 metres in total, the highest point being over 2,500m. Cavill proved his mettle and his class by finishing a quite wonderful joint-20th overall out of 2,000 starters.

England, meanwhile, ran the OCC – Orsieres (Switzerland), Champex (Switzerland) and Chamonix (France) - with 1,600 other competitors. Labelled ‘The Little Sister’, the course covered the second half of the CCC, taking runners through rooty forest tracks littered with clear mountain springs and down challenging, long descents.

She was amazed to finish 10th overall.

Cavill, for the first 15 miles of his race, was not sure he would complete the 60, with the altitude perhaps taking its toll, but once he got to Switzerland, his race improved.

Clocking the fastest split of any other competitor at this stage, Cavill began enjoying the spectacular surroundings, the long, technical descents and the outstanding support along the course.

He walked across the finish line with a fellow competitor, soaking up the cheers, having clocked 13 hours 54 minutes for joint-20th, and joint-fourth Brit.

England had intended to enjoy her race and just finish, regardless of the time.

She set a steady pace, relishing the atmosphere and the fantastic weather. Crossing the line, England was taken aback when told her position - 88th overall, 10th lady and third Brit in a time of 7-43-38, only four minutes behind the first British lady.