VALE Royal Athletics Club’s Stuart Doyle finished fifth overall in Sunday’s Chester Half Marathon, claiming a category win in the men’s over 40s age group.

He completed a testing course in 1:13.45, with five teammates behind him separated by only three minutes following a race-long battle.

Craig Sephton prevailed, timing a personal best of 1:26.19 to classify in the top 100 overall.

David Shepherd was next best in 1:27.27 a day after representing the club in the British Masters Road Relays at Birmingham, while James Ainsworth reached the finish in 1:28.52.

Kate Titlow was fifth woman across the line in 1:29.58, a lifetime best for the distance, with Gemma Barnett just one place further back.

Vale Royal sent more than a dozen runners to the British Masters Road Relays at Sutton Park, with Val Dunn receiving a medal as a prize for third fastest leg of the day in the women’s over 55s category.

Carole Williams and Pauline Davies completed a team that placed fourth, out of 10, in class.

The club were represented in the men’s over 35s, 45s, 55s and 65s categories too.

Steve Caldwell was the first runner in Vale Royal colours to complete Sunday’s Manchester 10K, clocking 38:32 in hot weather.