RUNNING: Rotherham Harrier Rob Watkinson winds back the clock with dominant race win

FORMER county champion Rob Watkinson returned from injury to show the opposition a clean pair of heels in a popular Rotherham race.

Taking to the start line for the Butcher’s Dog Leg at Braithwell, the latest in the KMR Series, he soundly beat three previous winners in the event, coming home in 21.57, more than a minute in front of Matt Daly (23.09, Worksop Harriers), Jordan Street (23.31, Clowne RR), and Luke Davis (23.37, Maltby RC).

It was only the second recent race for the former Harriers star, who has endured more than ten years out of the sport with injury.

Fellow runner Pete Humphries said: “Back in former days Rob was county 1500 metres champion in consecutive years.

“Clearly, as they say, class is permanent.”

Rotherham Harriers' contingent.

The event, the seventh in the Series, was hosted by Maltby Running Club.

The 4.5-mile trail and road event was held in pleasantly sunny conditions, which was surprising in view of the recent dreadful weather.

In the ladies section, Cat Eddison (25.41, Rotherham Harriers was again dominant, finishing 11th overall in the race.

Cat Eddison.

She was trailed by Vicky Shaw (26.58, Barnsley AC) and Hannah Miller (27.12, Worksop Harriers).

Rotherham Harriers’ second lady home was Sasha Gallagher (31.52) and there was an especially strong run from Neil Shaw (27.40, 24th).

With 17 black vests, Harriers were well-represented throughout the field of runners.

Also involved from the club were Trevor Whitehead, John Massingham, Keith Charles, Steven Lilley, Thomas Charles, Peter Humphries, Rebecca Marsden, Richard Schofield, Kelly Ling, Maggie Steele, Helen Hollingworth, Jo Palmer, Malcolm Rhodes and Steven Charles.

With five races remaining in the KMR Series, outcomes are still not much clearer, except that in their categories Cath Eddison (Sen lady), Steve Marshall (MV50), Tom Charles (MV75) and Pete Humphries (MV80) are in pole positions.

The next race is Stan’s Toffee Run on Thursday, August 17 at Elsecar.