THE BATTLE to win the York and District Road Race Men's League title will go down to the wire after Oliver Cockerill’s dramatic victory at Bishop Wilton.

Cockerill edged out fellow City of York athlete Jack Eggington to claim his second successive victory in the 10k league.

He is now level in the standings with Ben Jones (University of York), who finished third, and there is only one more race to go, at Wistow on July 4.

The fifth round at Bishop Wilton proved the best contest of the summer as runners took on the testing, hilly course in relatively cool conditions.

Cockerill pulled away from the chasing pack up the imposing Garrowby Hill to carve out an 80 metre lead.

But the chasing trio of Eggington, Jones and Phil Elliott (York Knavesmire Harriers) pegged him back at the 6k mark.

Cockerill briefly slipped to fourth but showed great determination to re-gain the lead and cross the line three seconds clear of Eggington in 35mins 22secs.

With Eggington clocking 35.25 and Jones 35.30, it had been a great battle while Elliott (35.41) was still within striking distance in fourth.

Helen Cross (York Triathlon Club) had already won the women’s title after four consecutive wins and sat out race five.

In her absence, Charlotte Mason (City of York) enjoyed a dominant victory, finishing 1min 40secs clear of second place.

Mason came 18th overall in 39.06, with Knavesmire pair Nik Tarrega (40.47) and Sarah Attwood (41.44) completing the podium places. Attwood was also the first vet 35 woman on the night.

Julie Lawn (York Acorn) was the leading vet 45 runner home in 45.37 and sealed the series title.

Jane Nodder (Knavesmire) was the top vet 55 athlete in 49.18 which means that championship goes down to the final race.

Knavesmire’s Mary Farmery (56.57) took the vet 65 spoils but Kathryn Taylor (Pocklington Runners) had already claimed the title.

Elliott was the top vet 40 man and secured that championship in the process.

Finishing 11th overall, York Acorn’s Michael Carricker was the first vet 50 man home in 38.31, but that title is still up for grabs.

Already the vet 60 champion, York Acorn’s Steve Boynton collected a fourth category win of the summer in 41.47.

Michael Tasker (York Acorn), who sealed the vet 70 championship in round four, made it five straight wins in 55.05.

Knavesmire topped the men’s team standings for a fourth race out of five and have retained their title. York Acorn were second on the night..

In the ladies’ event, Knavesmire A and B were the top two teams and secured first and second in the standings with a race to go.