York athlete Colin Shafto is officially a master of the track after winning the over-70 3,000m racewalking title.

The 70-year-old from Shipton-by-Beningborough stormed home in a time of 18 minutes 10.80 seconds to beat his nearest rival by more than a lap at the Masters track and field championships at the Birmingham Alexander Stadium.

The gold medal is the latest success for the former European and World Masters hurdles champion, having already collected the indoor title earlier in the year.

Shafto, who walks under the York CIU banner but is still also a member of Nestl Rowntree, also saw team-mate Fiona Crompton in the medals in Birmingham.

Crompton came away with a pair of bronzes in the over-50 women's shot, with a throw of 8.80 metres, and the discus, 19.48m.

Updated: 10:54 Wednesday, August 03, 2005