MORE than 100 competitors ran through the countryside of Ascott-under-Wychwood on Sunday to raise money for charity.

It was the fourth year the west Oxfordshire village has hosted the run and entrants were able to take part in either 5km or 10km events.

The challenging course took 101 runners up a steep hill, over muddy paths and through a swamp.

The 10km race was won by Paul Fernandez, of Abingdon Amblers, who is no stranger to glory after winning the Abingdon Marathon a week earlier.

He said: “It was a lovely course but it was very wet. In certain parts you sank up to your knees, which made it slightly harder.

“I use the Ascott race because the cross country league starts next Sunday and the race helps me to get my speed up and get used to running off-road.”

The race raised more than £1,000 to improve kitchen facilities at Ascott-under-Wychwood community hall Tiddy Hall.

Race coordinator John Cull said: “Tiddy Hall is important because it is the social centre of the village.”