JOSH SCHOFIELD enjoyed a dominant debut victory in round three of the York and District Road Race League, while Helen Cross completed a hat-trick.

City of York Athletic Club’s Schofield came home 50 seconds clear of second-placed Ben Jones (University of York) over the undulating Easingwold course.

Cross (York Triathlon Club) made it three straight wins in the 10k series, with a 43-second victory margin over Charlotte Mason (City of York), who was runner-up for a third race in a row.

Run in warm conditions and with the tough Crayke hill to climb towards halfway, the Easingwold race offered runners a different sort of test to the opening rounds at Pocklington and Tadcaster.

Schofield went at it straight away and was well clear by the time he reached Crayke, eventually crossing the line in 34 minutes four seconds.

Jones, who won the first two rounds, clocked 34-54, while George Cook (University of York) edged out Jack Eggington (City of York) for third, recording 35-11 to the latter’s 35-13.

Cross produced her best run of the series to finish 11th overall in 37-02, with Mason (37-45) also breaking the top-20 in 19th.

Jessica Troy (University of York) earned her first podium place in third, clocking 40-03.

The consistent David Smithers (York Knavesmire Harriers) took the veteran 40 men’s honours, finishing fifth overall in 36-08.

Ian Martin (York Triathlon) was the leading vet 50 man in 38-51, just two seconds ahead of Tadcaster Harriers’ Glen Johnson.

Steve Boynton (York Acorn) took his second vet 60 win of the series in 39-47, with clubmate Michael Tasker completing a vet 70 treble in 53-08.

Cross was the leading vet 35 lady, with Caroline Warrington (Knavesmire) second in the category with 42-12.

Julie Lawn (York Acorn) took the vet 45 honours for a second race running in 43-47, while clubmate Gill Boynton was the first vet 55 home in 47-24.

Pocklington Runners’ Kathryn Taylor (56-17) made it three straight vet 65 women’s wins.

Knavesmire’s women finished top of the team standings for a third race running, with four athletes in the top seven.

City of York also had four of the leading seven men, which helped them to top the male standings on the night, although Knavesmire still lead the series.