Pickering runners tackle steep climbs and tricky terrain in busy weekend

Pickering Team at the inaugural Langdale End Fell Race (Image: Pickering Running Club)

On Saturday, Simon Rycroft took on the challenge of racing a steam train on the Talyllyn Railway in Wales.

This annual event, organised by the Tywyn Rotary Club, starts at Towyn and finishes 14 miles and over 1,000 feet of climbing later.

For the runners, it is a tricky multi-terrain route.

Simon struggled with the heat but still managed to complete the challenge in 2 hours 3 minutes, arriving 12 minutes behind the train.

The train may have won, but his time placed him in the top third of the 375 runners.

Four members of PRC travelled to the Dales to compete in the Morland Half, organised by Charm Bracelet Events.

The self-navigated route incorporated over 1,000 feet of climbing as it wound its way through the beautiful Eden Valley.

It was a very rooty route, with lots of stream crossings, rocky sections and some road to stretch the legs on.

Karen Harper and Lydia Adrian ran together and achieved an excellent time of 3 hours 2 minutes.

Nicola Wise lost the path at mile 4 but managed to get back on track to finish in 3 hours 16 minutes.

Dean Wise won the trophy for 1st M70 with his time of 3 hours 29 minutes, despite stopping to help someone who had fallen over on the tricky terrain.

The weekend also saw the inaugural running of the Langdale End Fell Race.

It was a challenging 7.3-mile route, requiring fell-running skills to stay upright on the technical terrain, steep climbs and hair-raising descents, which totalled 1,260 feet of elevation.

Runners were treated to wonderful views over Harwood Dale and the purple moors beyond, if they dared take their eyes off the path.

Robbie Preston was going well until an old ankle injury flared at 4.5 miles; he struggled after that but still managed to finish 17th overall in a time of 67 minutes 10 seconds.

Charles Corbett was next in 76 minutes 28 seconds, followed by Paul Smith in 77 minutes 45 seconds, who was 3rd M65. Lucy Saggers won the prize for 1st F55 with her time of 80 minutes 37 seconds.

Nick Cousins finished in 82 minutes 51 seconds, and Jo Towler’s time of 83 minutes 58 seconds earned her the 1st F50 prize.

Lynn Humpleby crossed the finish line in 87 minutes 37 seconds, and Nicola Thorpe was the sweeper for the course, crossing the line after the last runner in 100 minutes.

Lynsey Hatfield joined 155 runners competing in the Scorton Feast 10k and finishing in 54 minutes 36 seconds.