Awards galore for Royton

FLEET OF FOOT . . . a posse of Royton Road Runners at the Littleborough 5K

ROYTON Road Runners' men delivered a team victory in the third and final leg of the Littleborough 5k series.

The strong field included Salford's Joe Bailey, who set a new course record of 15 minutes 30 seconds.

It was a close call for Royton, though, as their leading trio of Chris Lowe (17:25), Rob Battye (17:52) and Jarrod Gritt (18:01) recorded a combined time just four seconds quicker than Middleton Harriers.

Royton's women also posted a strong performance, with an excellent runners-up spot behind Oldham and Royton Harriers. The Royton trio were Sophie Wood (19:31), Helen Radcliffe (24:09) and Lisa Cummins (26:18).

Wood also scored a fine individual victory in the women's race which clinched overall success in the series. She crossed the line more than three minutes clear of the field and was the only woman with an aggregate time of less than an hour.

Lisa Cummins (first FV45) was one of two Royton members to pick up an age-category prize. It turned out to be a family affair, as the other award went to Lisa's husband Richard (first V50, 19:00).

Royton provided 16 of the 49 runners to complete all three races.

The stand-out performances were Gail Shaw (sixth woman overall, first FV50), Jillian Heywood (ninth overall, first FV45), Shane Reading (fifth overall, second V40), Jarrod Gritt (sixth overall, third SM), Brian Swindells (first V65) and Dave Emanuel.

Andrew Chadwick, who crossed the line in 22:41, earned the 'best improver' award. He was the only athlete to record an improvement greater than 10-per-cent across all three races.

The other Royton finishing times -

Angela Rogowskyj (35:12), Brian Swindells (third V65, 31:40), Judith Bradley and Amanda Richardson (both 29:22), Stephen Jones (29:05), Neil Bradley (28:43), Jillian Heywood (second FV45, 27:14), Ronnie Quinn (27:09), Gail Shaw (second FV50, 27:00), Jill Hickson (26:20), Gary Marshall (24:47), Paul Cooke (24:28), Robert Nixon (23:36), Ray Williams (23:28), Kevin Heenan (23:24), Chris Nicholson (23:16), Paul Leech (22:40), Steven Shaw (22:18), Adrian Marshall (21:55), Jason Keast (21:50), Paul Wolstenhulme (21:45), Mark Heaney (second V55, 21:37), David Crewe (21:18), Barry Greaves (third V60, 21:09), Robert Kellett (21:09), Elliot Stone (third V50, 19:53), Neil Brock (second V50, 19:38), Bernie Goodwin (third V45, 19:16), Michael Fleming (18:46), Shane Reading (18:03).