Tara Krzywicki says a return to Charnwood is prompting a real purple patch of form on the road.

The 35-year-old British Masters cross-country champion secured her third title in a week as she claimed the Midland Masters 10k title at Prestwold.

Her time of 33 minutes 40 seconds is in the top six for best performances by a woman over the distance this year.

That was almost 90 seconds ahead of Charnwood team-mate Gemma Steel (35.08), with Huncote's Paula Hough third in 37.08.

Krzywicki, who was 11th overall, had also triumphed in 5k races at Horwich and Hinckley during the previous week.

She said: "The 33.40 I ran is a new personal best on the road but I was actually a bit disappointed because I'm sure I can go under 33 minutes. I've done 33.04 on the track.

"I backed off a little after the first mile because I just had the feeling I had gone off a bit quick.

"My legs were tired at the end because that was my third race in a week and I'm going to have a few days off now."

Krzywicki had a spell away from Charnwood but says she has been revitalised by returning to the club.

She said: "I don't feel under any sort of pressure here and it's fun doing the training and I guess I'm getting the rewards.

"I've also lost a bit of weight and that's a by-product of all the training."

In the men's race, Leicester Coritanians' Gordon Lee was again the dominant performer as he clocked 31 minutes to claim the Midland Masters title and his third win in a row after success at Swithland and Harborough.

Lee was pushed to victory at Prestwold by a determined effort from Tim Hartley, representing host club Barrow.

Hartley was nine seconds behind Lee in 31.09 with Ian Boneham, of Notts AC, third in 31.33. Leading finishers:

results: 1 Gordon Lee (LC) 31.00, 2 Tim Hartley (Barrow) 31.09, 3 Ian Boneham (Notts AC) 31.33, 4 James Douglas (Ch) 32.06, 5 Mark Couldwell (Ch) 32.30, 6 Chris Southam (Stilton) 33.06, 7 Simon Murcott (Tipton) 33.09, 8 Jason Williams (Owls) 33.13, 9 Josh Dixon (Abergele) 33.17, 10 Chris Curtis (Corby) 33.37, 11 Tara Krzywicki (Ch) 33.40, 12 Dav Connor (Derby) 33.45, 13 Patrick Kavanagh (Tipton) 33.55, 14 Steve Marklew (Sutton Coldfield) 34.07, 15 Adam Elliot (Sale) 34.14, 16 Paul Waby (Dudley) 34.18, 17 Doug Ross (Mansfield) 34.24, 18 Richard Brown (Ch) 34.31, 19 Paul Mountford (Fleckney) 34.36, 20 Stephen Ward (Tipton) 34.42, 21 Mark Crofts (Ch) 34.44, 22 Craig Sabin (LC) 34.46, 23 Richard Whitelegg (Hinckley) 35.02, 24 Malcolm Eustace (Tipton) 35.03, 25 Gemma Steel (Ch) 35.08.