In perfect, crisp, cold and sunny weather, 375 runners took part in the 10.6 mile route through beautiful countryside, rolling forest tracks and field edges.
After the dry weather, conditions underfoot were good and some very fast times were recorded, although runners had to be careful of rocks and roots hidden under a carpet of leaves. In fact, several runners fell, including some who were very close to the starting line.
First back for Pickering was Tom Pirie, who ran a very fast time of 42 minutes and 9 seconds, taking second place in the M40 category.
Darren Smith was next with a time of 44 minutes 18 seconds, followed by Simon Jones who took third place in the M55 category with a time of 45 minutes 7 seconds.
Richard Robinson was a close second with a time of 45 minutes and 18 seconds, while Kelly Richmond took third place for the women with a time of 47 minutes and 56 seconds.
Dave Ouel was next to cross the line in 51 minutes 23 seconds, followed by Kirsty Brown in 51 minutes 39 seconds, Paul Smith in 53 minutes 14 seconds and Mike Wilson in 54 minutes 38 seconds.
Karen Farmer-Scott's time of 55 minutes and 37 seconds was a first in the F60 category.
She was followed by Rich Johnson in 55:42, Julie Ventress in 57:21 and Lucy Saggers in 57:25 for third place in the F50 division.
Chrissie Rowe was next in 61 minutes 18 seconds, followed by Serena Partridge in 63 minutes 38 seconds and Mike Heatherton in 71 minutes 36 seconds.
Shirley Tyrrell thoroughly enjoyed her first cross-country race and crossed the finish line with a big smile in 73 minutes 46 seconds, followed by Nicola Wise in 74 minutes 21 seconds and Mike Punchard in second place. Despite falling a few times, he finished in 3rd place. 76 minutes 27 seconds.
Paul Hickman eschewed the trails in favor of a Tadcaster 10 and joined 800 runners in a rugged 10-mile road race.
Taking the runners through the villages of Catterton, Hero and Wighill before returning to Tadcaster, Paul completed the race in a quick 1 hour 15 minutes.
