Pickering Running Club members tackle festive season runs

The Dalby parkrun on Christmas Day saw 418 participants donning festive costumes as they tackled the five-kilometre route through picturesque woodland.

The following week, on December 27, the Guisborough Woods Fell Race drew competitors to a demanding five-mile, three-lap course.

Dave Smith led the charge for Pickering Running Club, finishing 16th overall out of 159 runners with a commendable time of forty-seven minutes and eight seconds, securing third place in the M55 category.

He was accompanied by teammates James Loftus and Russ Grayson, who finished in fifty-one minutes and nineteen seconds and fifty-two minutes and fifty-nine seconds, respectively.

Lucy Saggers also performed admirably, completing the course in sixty-two minutes and two seconds, which earned her third in the F55 category.

Other club members included David Stephenson, who clocked in at sixty-three minutes and thirty-one seconds, and Nick Cousins, who finished in sixty-five minutes and twenty-three seconds.

Alice Hayter notably brought home the prize for first in the F45 category with her time of sixty-five minutes and twenty-eight seconds.

As the New Year rolled in, great weather continued for running enthusiasts, culminating in another successful Captain Cook's Fell Race on January 1.

In this five-mile challenge with a thousand-foot ascent, Robbie Preston was the standout for Pickering, finishing 27th overall among 423 runners in a time of thirty-six minutes and twenty-four seconds.

Dean and Nicola Wise with their prizes after Hardmoors 15 (Image: Pickering Running Club)

He was trailed by Mike Richmond and James Loftus, who completed the course in thirty-eight minutes and fifty-seven seconds and thirty-nine minutes and fifty-eight seconds, respectively.

Other notable finishes included Kelly Richmond in forty-three minutes and thirty-five seconds, and Richard Robinson in forty-four minutes and forty-five seconds.

Lucy Saggers once again showcased her prowess, completing the challenge in forty-nine minutes and forty-five seconds.

Lynn Humpleby and Nicola Thorpe followed suit, recording times of fifty-two minutes and eight seconds and fifty-five minutes and twenty-three seconds, respectively.

Graham Robinson's grit shone through as he marked his 41st completion of the Captain Cook's Fell Race in eighty-six minutes and twenty-nine seconds.

However, on January 3, the weather took a severe turn for the Hardmoors 15, where participants braved snowy conditions and icy roads just to reach the start line.

The extreme weather forced a modification of the route to eleven miles, stripping away the cliff-top segment.

Bridget Houston emerged victorious for the PRC, finishing in an impressive one hour and thirty-four minutes, earning the title of first female finisher and a commendable sixth overall position.

Meanwhile, Kate Towse and Nicola Wise crossed the line in two hours and ten minutes and two hours and twelve minutes, respectively, with Wise claiming the trophy for first in the F60 category.

Dean Wise marked a personal milestone by completing his first major event since heart surgery, finishing in two hours and fifty-five minutes to receive the trophy for first in the M70 category.

The next fixture for PRC is the upcoming local parkrun, where runners can continue to showcase their mettle.