For once Pat Read had no qualms about being left holding the baby - in fact it could earn him a place in the record books.

Pat Read with daughter Rowan

The Guiness Book of World Records has a category for fastest races run by an individual pushing a pram.

In the Abingdon Marathon on October 20 the Headington Road Runners athlete pushed his four-year-old daughter Rowan around the course in four hours, six minutes.

The record has to be ratified by the Guinness World Record organisation.

Mr Read said: "It was a hard slog at the end but it was good fun.

"Rowan was superb in keeping a mileage chart, waving to the spectators and remaining in good humour throughout."

But if Rowan thought that was the end of her marathon adventures then she is in for a surprise.

The world record for a half-marathon with a pram stands at just over one hour, 30 mins and next week at the Stroud half-marathon, Gary Harris from Headington RR will be pushing Rowan in an attempt to break that record as well.

On Sunday, Mike Smith was first over the finishing line in a personal best time of two hours, 26 mins.

It was the Cirencester athlete's second time at Abingdon, after finishing in second place in 1989.

Mr Smith said: "I was hoping to achieve two hours, 25 mins -- but I was very satisfied."

Runner-up and the first Oxfordshire man home was Simon Lund, of Woodstock Harriers in two hours, 32 mins. The first woman was Lucy Townsend, of Bourton Road Runners.