CHESHIRE Dragons won impressive team medals at the British Masters Road Relays Championships on Saturday.

Dragons, a year old as a club, are celebrating their women’s 35-44 age group winning team gold in Birmingham, while the women’s 45-54 team returned with silver.

Louisa Thompson set the gold winners off on the opening leg with a solid 19.55mins for the 5km course, bringing the team into fourth place.

Carol Parsons flew round in 18.31, which was only bettered by GB international Gemma Steel, to put the team well into the lead.

Katie Dickenson (22.19) ran superbly for her first time at this level to hand over to Helen Harrington, who quickly caught the leading Sale Harriers runner and crossed the line in 20.14 to bring the Dragons home by a minute.

In the 45-54 women’s category, Emma Crowe defied injury to complete the opening leg in fifth place with 20.42.

Natasha Smith, who ran the third fastest leg of the day in her age group with 19.45, took the team into third place and she handed over to returning Sara Avery, who was stepping down from her 55+ age group, and she brought the team home for well deserved silver medals with 19.59.

Jo Kirkham, Lisa Meadows, Mel Johnson and Jo Edwards made up a second W35 team and they all ran well to finish in 10th place.

The club had two men’s teams running.

In the M45 age band, Darren Cotter (19.56), Matt Scott (20.08), Mike Holden (21.56) and Ian Pierce (21.26) finished 20th.

The 55-64 men’s team of Bernie Jones (20.01), Glyn Evans (23.13) and Dave Gough (20.54) were 22nd.

Cheshire Dragons meet on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For further details contact Bernie-jones@sky.com