THERE was no stopping Pickering Running Club as they took the plaudits at Glaisdale Rigg.

The weather for the first evening event, and second encounter, in the Summer Fell Race Series was bright for those fastest around the course, but those further behind quickly fell victim to heavy showers.

Competitors needed grippy shoes for the steep climbs and descents, totalling 1,400 feet of elevation over the 8.6 mile course, although waders might have been preferable in its boggier parts.

For many it’s simply about the joy of taking part but it’s always nice to have a trophy and there were plenty for Pickering Running Club.

The first overall to visit all checkpoints was Ryan Gaughan who excelled to finish his first fell race in just 72 minutes and three seconds.

Experienced fell runner Dave Smith was chasing him down in 72 minutes and 59 seconds, seeing him finish as the first in the M50 category and fourth overall.

Mike Richmond was next in 76 minutes and 24 seconds, earning him second in the M45 category.

Simon Jones was third in the M55 category in 78 minutes and 23 seconds, followed by Boyd Brad in 85 minutes and 19 seconds.

Kelly Richmond’s time of 86 minutes and 57 seconds placed her as the third female finisher, despite running an extra half mile due to a navigation error.

Mike Wilson crossed the line in 90 minutes and 32 seconds, then came Richard Johnson in 93 minutes and 55 seconds, Nick Cousins in 96 minutes and 55 seconds and Emily Marner in 99 minutes and 18 seconds.

Serena Partridge’s time of 99 minutes and 57 seconds placed her second in the F45category, whilst Lucy Saggers finished in 101 minutes and eight seconds, despite taking a tumble in the treacherous conditions.

Lynn Humpleby clocked 110 minutes and 43 seconds, the third F45 finisher, and Mike Hetherton finished in 172 minutes and 15 seconds, making him the first in the M70 category.

Pickering’s Men won the team prize, whilst their Ladies finished second.

Debbie Rycroft and Andrew Bates took part in the mighty Cairngorms 60k ultra, with unusually cloudless skies and high temperatures making it tough going.

The stunning route rewarded runners with incredible views during the many long climbs, totalling over 1000m of ascent, through remote and rugged landscape.

Debbie was using the event as a training run for the Lakeland 100 and paced herself perfectly to finish in nine hours and three minutes.

Andrew suffered from cramp, exacerbated by the heat, so changed to the ‘short’ 50k route which he completed in a valiant eight hours and 29 minutes.

The Ulswater Olympic triathlon, a national championship event, took place at the weekend comprising a 1-mile swim in Ullswater, 27.4-mile bike ride with over 1,500 feet of climb, and a 5.7-mile run.

Jayson Cavill finished fourth overall in a competitive time of two hours and 26 minutes.

Mike Richmond was very close behind in two hours and 31 minutes and Kelly Richmond’s time of two hours and 48 minutes placed her as the third female.

Later that week, the annual Pickering Running Club Reverse Handicap Race took place, with runners racing a timed 2.5-mile lap around the streets of Norton.

They are then set off on the second lap in reverse order according to their time, with the last runner setting off first. If everyone runs to their full capabilities, they should all finish the second lap at the same time.

Paul Hickman headed the final stampede to lift the trophy.