SEVERAL Pickering Running Club aces were blown away – literally and metaphorically – by fantastic performances in a familiar fell race and an international half-marathon.

Fondly known as the ‘CBeast’, Clay Bank East fell race has a ferocious bite. Starting at Clay Bank car park, the 5.7-mile route climbs more than 1,000 feet up to Round Hill on Urra Moor, the highest point on the Noth York Moors, and then sends runners on a gallop back down.

This year, after a frosty start, the conditions were cold and the ground hard.

First PRC man home was Russ Grayson, finishing a super 26th place in a field of 148. He sailed to the end in 44 minutes 37 seconds.

Knocking more than a minute off his time from last year, and taking first in category, Mike Wilson clocked a great 47-00, followed closely by rapidly improving Russ Charlton in 47-11.

Wilson edged out his usual category rival, Paul Smith, who finished third in category in 47-46, while Nick Cousins finished in 48.22.

The next green PRC vest belonged to Mike Hetherton, who amazingly equalled his effort last year exactly. Hetherton ran well, completing in 54-10 for second in category.

Relishing being first PRC lady back, Sue Slack took more than two minutes off her previous time to finish in 59-43. Serena Partridge also shaved some time off, clocking 62-00.

Only three days after running 30 hard miles, Philly Hare completed in 68-02 for a creditable third in category, while Sally Brown took fourth, completing the ladies’ team in 75-36.

Three PRC members took a weekend away in the Netherlands as an excuse to run in the Egmond Half Marathon, a popular event that attracts thousands of competitors, including international elites.

The 13.1-mile route takes runners along a hard packed beach overlooked by spectacular dunes, before looping inland for a mix of road and trail.

Coming into form, experienced marathoner Nicola Wise took five minutes off her personal best, finishing in two hours five minutes 34 seconds, despite extremely windy conditions.

Supported by friends and family from the area and loving the challenge, Marion Bets also had an impressive result, finishing close to her PB in 2-36-29. Completing the trio was Dean Wise, who ran a comfortable 2-44-36.