MIKE WILSON shrugged off the effects of the gruelling Yorkshire Three Peaks race to lead home the Pickering Running Club pack in the first race of the York Road Race League.

Sixteen PRC racers were among 330 runners from clubs across York who gathered for the start of the 10-kilometre race along quiet backroads of Pocklington, where cool weather made for ideal conditions.

Wilson found a spring in his step to finish in 44 minutes 41 seconds, ahead of reigning veteran champion Michael Hetherton, who made a determined start to the defence of his crown and finsihed in a grand time of 46-02.

Showing a recent rise in form, Ian Farrer clocked 46-31 ahead of Paul Tate-Smith (51-30), while Dave Simpson galloped home in 51-40 – undeterred by his recent ascent into the veteran age category.

Setting a new personal best, Lizzie Wise clocked 54-13, ahead of Jayne Farrer (54-32), Nicola Wise (57-07), Sally Brown (60-28), Mike Punchard (61-35), (65-01), Dean Wise (65-24), Jennie Knowles (69-58) and Sally Raines (70-57).

A trio of PRC runners celebrated good times in the 35th London Marathon, meanwhile, where they rubbed shoulders with elite, fancy dress and charity runners.

The 26.2-mile road race has become a national treasure and is the single biggest global fundraising event.

This year, more than 37,000 runners took to the start line.

First home of the PRC trio was Lynn Humpleby, who soaked up the sights and sounds of the legendary event on the first half of the course.

After crossing London Bridge at mile 13, she lifted the pace speeding past Buckingham Palace to finish in four hours, three minutes, 23 seconds in her first-ever marathon.

Next home for the club was Swan Imeson, fresh from the Manchester Marathon the previous weekend.

The PRC newcomer ticked reached the half-way point in 1-56-58 and, after relaxing the pace for the second half, he completed the race in 4-11-06, raising £300 for the Kids ’n’ Cancer charity appeal.

Only seconds behind was marathon newbie Serena Partridge whose effortless style brought her a great time of 4-11-18.