VALE Royal Athletics Club sent their biggest contingent to date to Saturday’s British Masters Road Relays.

And they fared well, with the women’s over 35s team of Helen Whitby, Andrea Hilldrup, Sarah Gibbs and Carolyn Dooley claiming ninth place in the sunshine at Sutton Park.

Both quartets in the women’s over 45s age category classified inside the top 20 overall.

The best solo performance of the day belonged to Stuart Doyle, who ran the seventh fastest leg in the men’s over 45s class.

David Shepherd, Scott Bamber and Gareth Williams completed a foursome that finished 18th.

The men’s over 35s race, run over six stages, ended with Vale Royal in 24th position.

Mike Harrington, Tom Armstrong, Nick Haywood, Ian Brough, Brian Dooley and Matthew Sweeting were on duty in blue and gold.

“It was a fantastic turnout, unprecedented,” said Vale Royal spokesman Shaun McGrath.

“To have a full eight teams reach the finish is a remarkable effort by our seniors.”

Results (complete Vale Royal AC teams only)

British National Masters Road Relays

Saturday, May 14

Men’s over 35

24. Vale Royal AC (Michael Harrington, Tom Armstrong, Nick Haywood, Ian Brough, Brian Dooley, Matthew Sweeting) 1:49.59

Women’s over 35

9. Vale Royal AC (Helen Whitby, Andrea Hilldrup, Sarah Gibbs, Carolyn Dooley) 1:19.32

Men’s over 45

18. Vale Royal AC A (Stuart Doyle, David Shepherd, Scott Bamber, Gareth Williams) 1:10.07

35. Vale Royal AC B (Darren Cottier, Ian Barker, Tom Annable, John Moulds) 1:15.40

42. Vale Royal AC C (Mark Pilliner, John Clarke, Robert Tipping, David Haines) 1:22.30

Women’s over 45

14. Vale Royal AC A (Helen Smith, Debbie Moreton, Lisa Meadows) 1:05.51

17. Vale Royal AC B (Jayne Lomax, Carole Williams, Debbie Broad) 1:12.54

Men’s over 55

37. Vale Royal (Chris Griffiths, Richard Pettitt, Colin Rathbone) 1:10.34