CHRIS Poulton sealed the York and District Road Race League men’s title after a hard-fought victory at a very wet Knavesmire.

The York Acorn athlete’s win in round four means no other man can overtake him in the 10k league, with runners’ best four races from six counting for individual prizes.

There’s also every chance Charlotte Mason will take the women’s title following her victory at the Knavesmire, which made it three straight wins for the City of York runner.

Poulton was pushed close by Jon Pinder (York Knavesmire Harriers) and, having twice tried to pull clear, it was only in the final kilometre that he gained a slight lead.

Two seconds was all that separated the pair as Poulton clocked 34mins 23secs to Pinder’s 34.25.

This meant Poulton has now won three of this season’s four races so far and finished second in the other, earning him a first title.

Ian Ellwood (York Postal Harriers) took third in 34.58, followed by Knavesmire’s David Smithers (35.05), Acorn’s Robin Stacey (35.16) and City of York’s Alex Dickinson (35.19).

Mason continued her dominance of the women’s category, finishing almost 90 seconds clear of clubmate Katy Wood, recording 37.25 to the latter’s 38.54.

Knavesmire’s Emily Baines was not far behind in 39.02, while Easingwold’s Samantha Davies (41.09), Pocklington’s Katie Wise (41.20) and Selby Striders’ Elizabeth Nairn (42.23) completed the top six.

Smithers was the first vet-40 man home, ahead of Acorn’s Paul Whitaker (35.24) and Pocklington’s Richard Ginn (36.29).

York Triathlon’s Ian Martin (38.13) collected his second vet-50 win of the series, ahead of Pocklington’s Graham Justice (38.38) and Pickering’s Simon Jones (38.59).

Acorn’s Stephen Boynton (40.29) sealed a third successive vet-60 men’s title with his fourth straight win of the series.

Postal’s Bill Shively (41.49) was second on the night and Easingwold’s Howard Thompson (43.05) third.

Pickering’s Michael Hetherton (47.47) was the first vet-70 man home as he retained the series title, while Tadcaster’s Richard Millican (1.02.13) was the only other finisher in the category.

Davies and Wise were the leading vet-35 women on the night, followed by Selby’s Paula Fenteman (42.36).

Knavesmire’s Katharine Jeffreys (44.10) took the vet-45 women’s honours ahead of Acorn’s Sharon Lynn (44.33) and Tadcaster’s Joanne Millican (46.45).

Having finished joint first in the vet-55 women’s standings last year, Knavesmire’s Jet Jon Shepherd (46.48) ensured she will be the sole champion in 2019 with a fourth straight race win.

Acorn’s Gill Boynton (46.58), who tied with Shepherd for the 2018 title, was second, ahead of Easingwold’s Jane Cowley (51.40).

Knavesmire’s Mary Farmery (55.07) sealed a second successive vet-65 women’s title after making it four wins from four races.

Pocklington’s Kathy Taylor (56.53) was second on the night and Kanvesmire’s Liz Piper (59.55) third.

Knavesmire took the men’s team honours ahead of Acorn and City of York, leaving the former strong favourites to retain their crown.

It was the same top three in the women’s team event, which means Knavesmire now have a one-point advantage over City of York in the standings.