IT was over the hills to Dewsbury for Royton Road Runners' first race of 2018.

The West Yorkshire town hosted the well-organised and well-attended 10K – over 1,500 runners entered – which set the tone for the rest of the season.

A total of 62 Royton Road Runners managed to complete the distance on a fine winter’s morning.

The event certainly didn’t disappoint. Many members managed to grab personal bests even at this early stage of the season, including Bernadette Ball (8th FV60, 61:38), Sharon Dracup (62:58), Jenny O'Callaghan (58:28), Carl O'Callaghan (39:48), Michael Wildbore (37:45) and Michael Fleming (37:43).

They were helped by the straightforward route — heading through Batley towards Birstall and back again, the speedy downhill finish providing the platform for some excellent times.

First honours of the season went to Jarrod Gritt (34:50), who finished 33rd in a very strong field. Jarrod began to show his potential last season and has worked hard through the winter months to ensure his progress.

By being the first Royton Road Runner home, he managed to beat Shane Reading (9th V40, 35:34) and last year’s club champion, Rob James (35:42). Both Jarrod and Shane recorded new PBs, emphasising the quality of their runs.

In the women’s race, Janet Jobey (43:49) lived up to her billing as favourite by coming home first among the Royton women. This was quite an achievement, coming early in her return from a serious foot injury.

June Allingan (1st FV70, 1:10:58) gained their only prize in any category, proving once again that she is not ready for the quiet life just yet.

However, there were a number of impressive age category positions in this top-quality field, including Diane Allingan (9th FV55, 51:17), Val Kilburn (8th FV50, 46:34), Ronnie Quinn (6th V65, 45:00), Robert Nixon (5th V60, 43:35) and Chris Lowe (4th V45, 36:25).

Despite the tough competition, the men's and women's teams put in commendable performances for ninth and 14th positions respectively.

Big congratulations to ‘first-timers’ Adam Farrell (48:37), Leonie Glyn (48:53) and Sally Crewe (59:37).

All the other Royton Road Runners finishers: Mary Freer (1:10:58), Lee Higginbottom (an injury-plagued 65:01), Tracey Hall (62:04), Sarah Butler (60:37), Martina Naismith (59:43), Elaine Whitehead (57:08), Jillian Heywood (56:26), Amanda Richardson (54:09), Rochelle Evans (54:06), Lisa Cummins (53:23), Gail Shaw (53:19), Jill Hickson (53:04), John Fay (50:59), Tony Kane (50:06), Gary Marshall (49:56), Dave Watt (49:38), Simon Howard (48:45), Chris Nicholson (48:19), Adam Stirling (48:14), David Freer (47:59), Helen Radcliffe (47:56), Gary Smith (47:09), Neil Farrell (46:57), Paul Cooke (46:53), Andy Chadwick (46:44), David Crewe (46:40), Vikki Smith (46:39), Mark Heaney (45:53), Jason Keast (45:14), Garry Bower (45:06), Steve Shaw (44:38), Bryan Lawton (43:58), Stewart Jones (43:56), Matthew Kilburn (43:16), Matt Kershaw (42:32), Bernie Cassidy (42:22), Ian Dale (41:21), David Emanuel (40:44), Elliot Stone (40:32), Dave Peart (39:28), Richard Cummins (38:57), Bernie Goodwin (38:50) and Rob Battye (37:13).