IAN Ellwood secured his maiden victory in the York & District Road Race League on a challenging Bishop Wilton course.

The York Postal Harriers runner showed his strength over the undulating circuit to triumph by more than 30 seconds in round five of the 10k league.

Charlotte Mason (City of York) was the first woman home to record her second successive victory, which means the title will go down to the final round at Wistow.

York Knavesmire Harriers’ Stuart Grange had already wrapped up the men’s title and was the early leader at Bishop Wilton.

But the notorious climb to the top of Garrowby Hill towards the halfway mark took its toll and he faded to sixth in 37 minutes and 21seconds.

Ellwood was second up the hill, but ran a steadier race and pulled away from the chasing pack to cross the line in 36.02.

York Acorn’s Chris Poulton took second in 36.35 and secured the league runners-up spot.

His team-mate Paul Whitaker was third in 36.44 and the first vet-40 man home.

Pocklington Runners’ Stuart Smith and Ian Robertson (Selby Striders) completed the age-group top three with times of 38.29 and 39.19 respectively.

Glen Johnson (40.08), of Tadcaster Harriers, took the vet-50 men’s honours from Knavesmire’s Neil Strange (41.12) and Pocklington’s Darren Ball (41.24).

The age group was, consequently, retained by Johnson.

Steve Boynton (42.24) took the vet-60 series title and victory on the night by heading David Lancaster (43.33) in an Acorn one-two, with Easingwold’s Howard Thompson (44.35) third.

Pickering’s Michael Hetherton (50.02) won the vet-70 division ahead of Acorn’s Michael Tasker (59.36) and Tadcaster’s Richard Millican (1.04.21), but that title will go to the wire.

Mason, who was last year’s series runner-up, kept alive her hopes of the 2018 women’s title with a victory in 40.09.

Her clubmate Jessica Troy took second in 41.38 to ensure she will finish no lower than third in the series.

Already the vet-35 women’s champion, Knavesmire’s Sarah Attwood secured third place on the night in 41.57.

Easingwold pair Samantha Davies (44.45) and Marie Murtagh (45.34) were the respective second and third vet-35s home.

Knavesmire’s Corrie Percival (47.38) was again the leading vet-45 lady, ahead of Easingwold’s Sheila Capper (49.14) and Acorn’s Julie Lawn (49.35), who is already the series champion.

The battle for the vet-55 women’s title is still ongoing after Jet Jon Shepherd (49.16) saw off Knavesmire clubmate Jane Nodder (49.31) and Acorn’s Gill Boynton (49.56).

Boynton heads the standings by one point, but either of the others could finish level with her.

Already crowned age group champion, Knavesmire’s Mary Farmery (56.57) took the vet-65 honours from Pocklington’s Kathryn Taylor (1.01.50), with Liz Piper (Knavesmire) third in 1.16.58.

Knavesmire were crowned men’s team champions after winning at Bishop Wilton, ahead of Acorn and City of York.

The women’s title has also gone to Knavesmire after they saw off Pocklington and Easingwold on the night.

By coming fourth, City of York ensured the overall runners-up spot.