OFF-ROAD marathon runners faced grim weather conditions last week, but that didn’t stop Pickering Running Club’s (PRC) Hilary Turner from scooping the female veteran trophy.

Entrants to the Hardmoor’s Wainstones Marathon and half-marathon events endured rain and freezing winds which forced 20 hypothermic runners to drop out of the competition.

But hardy Sue Slack and Hilary Turner pushed along the tough 27-mile course.

The race started at Chop Gate village hall, heading along the Cleveland Way to Wainstones, across Urra Moor, Bransdale Moor, before looping back to the start.

Good quality kit and a consistent pacing strategy were the key to Slack’s success, finishing in an admirable time of six hours 28 minutes and 21 seconds for second in category.

Not one to shy away from a challenge, Turner spent nearly eight hours running in awful conditions and finished in 7:48-25 – claiming the female veteran 60 prize.

Running a shorter half-marathon route was Peter Winter, who finished in 21st position in 2:30-58 and fourth in category – following a spirited downhill finish.

While PRC marathon runners were slogging it across the Cleveland Way, a quintet of members turned out for the Broughton Woods Wobble just a couple of miles away.

The category ‘A’ five-mile fell race sets off at Lower Clay Bank car park, near Stokesley, and packs in 1,200ft of lung-busting ascent.

First back for the club was an in-form Bob Horsman, who used his strength on the hills to finish in 14th position in 47-50. roving his off-road credentials was Paul Smith, who put in a strong performance to clock 51-51 and second in category.

Putting in a strong performance ahead of the London Marathon later this month, Lynn Humpleby hurtled to the finish in 56-13 – a place ahead of team-mate Michael Hetherton (56-43).

Bringing home the PRC pack was fell-running newcomer Mike Punchard, who raced to the finish in 65-52, seeing off competition on the muddy downhill finish.

Representing the club on the regional road race scene on the same day was Paul Tate-Smith at the Sheffield Half-marathon.

Tate-Smith earned a massive personal best, finishing in a great time of 1:54-43, despite the five-mile uphill start to the road race.

He said: “It was a fantastic race and really well supported.

“I was delighted with my time and it made all the winter training sessions along the dark streets of Malton worth the effort.”