SOME nine competitors from Pickering Running Club lined up to take on the 68th annual Yorkshire Three Peaks race over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Competitors needed to have achieved a qualifying run to take part in this epic 24-mile route over Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough - totalling 5,200 feet of climb - and had to reach checkpoints within certain time limits or be forced to withdraw.

Despite these tough strictures, Pickering were well represented among the 700 runners nervously waiting under grey skies on the start line.

First back for the Ryedale club was Mike Richmond in an amazing four hours and 10 minutes.

Peter Allen was next in four hours and 21 minutes, before Kelly Gaughan crossed the line in four hours and 24 minutes, and Simon Jones in four hours and 37 minutes.

Tom Pilley and Nick Outram both clocked a very competitive four hours and 56 minutes for their first Three Peaks attempt.

Despite running the London Marathon the previous week, Kim Cavill achieved an excellent time of five hours and 11 minutes. Russ Grayson was next in five hours and 24 minutes and Nick Cousins completed the event in five hours 41 minutes.

None of the club’s runners joined over 125 competitors who were timed out in an incredible achievement.

Fancying a different challenge, Lizzy and Jennifer Wise completed the Millington 13, a Long Distance Walking Association Event through the Wolds with over 2,000 feet of elevation.

The sisters took things easy, thoroughly enjoying the springtime views, and the excellent refreshments on offer at the checkpoints, finishing in just over four hours.

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That Sunday also saw the start of the popular annual Kirkbymoorside 10k, an undulating road race taking runners through Gillamor and Fadmoor before the exhilarating descent back down Kirkbymoorside.

Ben Myers was first back for Pickering in a brilliant time of 38 minutes and 45 seconds, placing him seventh overall.

The next three runners for Pickering had all run the Three Peaks the day before.

All three clocked fantastic times, with Simon Jones finishing in 40 minutes and 27 seconds, Mike Richmond in 41 minutes and four seconds, and Kelly Gaughan crossed the finish line in an astonishing 41 minutes and 52 seconds, earning her a trophy for the first female finisher. 

Matt Dunn finished in a very creditable 43 minutes and 39 seconds, followed by Richard Robinson in 44 minutes and 53 seconds.

Paul Smith clocked a time of 47 minutes and 31 seconds, Ruth Kaftirani in 47 minutes and 49 seconds, and Rich Johnson in 48 minutes 20 seconds. 

Paul Robinson was second in the M65 age category, finishing in 49 minutes and 32 seconds, followed by Jo Towler in 49 minutes and 54 seconds.

Mike Hetherton added to his many accolades, his time of 50 minutes and 34 seconds placing him first in the M75 age category. 

Then came Lynn Humpleby in 52 minutes and Suzy Hodgson in 52 minutes and 37 seconds.

Serena Partridge was next in 52 minutes and 48 seconds, and Andrew Bates finished just four seconds later in 52 minutes and 52 seconds. 

Chris Cummings finished his race in 55 minutes and 27 seconds, Sally Edwards in 61 minutes and 13 seconds, and Mike Punchard in 61 minutes and 51 seconds.

Kirsty Brown, who has been struggling with a back injury, finished in a respectable time of 62 minutes and one second.