PICKERING Running Club members turned out in force on Sunday for two trail events on the North York Moors after a two-week race lull.

Fine weather greeted the PRC posse at the eight-mile Commondale Beacon race near Guisborough.

The course, covering nearly 1,000 feet of ascent, heads out onto Danby Low Moor, skirting Castleton before returning to the start.

The sunshine ensured some excellent times with Pickering’s Simon Jones earning seventh place and an age category prize win with his time of 55 minutes 15 seconds.

Russ Grayson (61-00) put in a great effort, while, enjoying their usual cat-and-mouse tussle, Paul Smith (66-38) and Nick Cousins (66-56) finished 41st and 42nd respectively.

Mike Wilson (68-31) had a disappointing run, while veteran Mike Hetherton (78-23) took it easy.

Making his fell racing debut, Mike Punchard clocked 96-08, followed by Pickering Ladies ‘A’ team Marion Betts and Sally Brown (both 110-00).

Brown’s efforts earned her an age category win. Meanwhile, fellow members tackled the annual Osmotherley trail series half and marathon fixtures organised by the Hardmoors team.

The half marathon followed a simple out-and-back route along the Cleveland Way turning at the Lord Stones’ Café and covering 16 miles.

The marathon runners followed the same route but continued over Cringle Moor and Wainstones before heading back at Clay Bank to Osmotherley – a tough 28-miler.

First back for PRC in the half marathon was Lynn Humpleby, who clocked three hours six minutes 10 seconds – a solid performance ahead of the London Marathon in April.

Brian Reed (3-07-46) followed in his first race for the club this season, while Nicola Wise (3-47-28) put in an excellent effort.

Simon Ridley smashed the 28-mile route in a superb 5-32-45, only minutes ahead of Richard Todd (5-36-05), who put in a great performance.

First Pickering lady was Rachael Harper (6-08-30), while Philly Hare (8-47-45) fought deteriorating conditions.

The previous week, Simon Jones and Serena Partridge ran in the Harewood House Half Marathon near Leeds. The trail race covered 14 miles on the estate grounds and attracted more than 800 runners raising money for the British Heart Foundation.

Jones came sixth overall in a remarkable run of 1-30-16, while Partridge clocked 2-12-51.