Harriers
Barrie Joslin took the honours in the senior grade when Athletics and Cycling Masterton's harrier section held the first event of their trophy race series.
Many of the club's traditional harriers' cups and trophies are up for grabs in this series, and taking centre stage last Sunday was the Randolph Rose Cup, which was first awarded in 1926 when the contest was over five miles. It is now run over the metric 8km distance.
All told, 58 runners and walkers took part in Sunday's competition, a pleasing turnout considering many members were competing in the Palmerston North half-marathon. Distances ranged from 2km to 8km, dependent on age, with the starting point the ACM clubrooms at the Pugh Sports Bowl.
The course also took in large parts of the Henley Lake complex and the athletes had the benefit of perfect running conditions.
The senior race was over the full 8km and from the outset Joslin showed that recent injuries were behind him. He took up the early lead and while cross-country series winner Martin Dransfeld did his best to stay with him, the margin was out to 200m by the 3km mark. And there was no coming back, Joslin winning in a time of 34mins 38secs, with Dransfeld one minute behind.
Brendon Murray was the surprise packet. After a season away, he showed good strength to place third, the gap between second and third about the same as that between first and second.
First woman to finish was veteran Lesley Graham, who recorded 38mins 14secs.
Helene Dore was second, just 4secs better than of Robyn Green.
The walkers competed over 4km and as has become the norm this season it was Chris van Gerven who led the way home in 26mins 22secs. Graham Roberts was second and Blair Tonkin third.
The under-11 runners were led in by Kasey Cox, who completed the 2km course in 10mins 59secs. Visitor Sammie Geard was second and Abilgail McCaffrey third.
The under-14s ran over 4km and Matthew Heard continued his impressive form with a win in 16mins 40secs.
First of the girls was Bianca Green in 21mins 2secs.
Another of the Heards, Liam, held off Rhys Gwyther by 29secs in a keenly contested under-16s race and third was Gareth Gwyther, who was about one minute behind his brother after showing plenty of early pace. In the girls' section, Shayla Farley and Claudia Green produced the closest finish of the day, with Farley being given the nod.
The next race in the trophy series is on Sunday, August 25, starting at Kitchener St, Lansdowne. Registration is at 9.30am and racing begins at 10am.