ABINGDON AC’s Paul Fernandez defended his Cholsey Chase title in fine style, storming to victory by more than three minutes, writes JACK JOHNSON.

Fernandez completed the nine-mile course in 53mins 2secs – smashing last year’s time by two minutes.

Oxford City runner Stephen Copley was second and Fernandez’s Abingdon teammate Mark Lewy third.

The trio led a field of 156 on a challenging undulating route.

White Horse Harriers’ Claire Norrish was the first woman to cross the line, finishing 25th overall in 1hr 3mins 44secs.

Alix Eyles from Reading Road Runners and Cholsey’s Sophie Keay rounded out the top three.

  • Sport
    Latest Sport news

In the women’s vet 60, Eynsham Road Runners’ Kate Williamson retained her title.

Teammate Jacky Pinnock finished a place behind her as the first female vet 50 runner.

With Fernandez and Lewy making the podium, the men’s vet 40 and 50 titles went to Oxford’s Mark Roulston and Julian Moore, from Abingdon, who came home eighth and 18th respectively.

Headington Road Runners’ James Eve claimed top spot at the Carterton 10K, finishing ahead of Joe Browness of Cambridge University.

Witney Road Runners athlete Gareth Petts rounded out the top three, while teammates Dan Blake and Tony Lock came home in fifth and sixth respectively.

The highest-placed Oxfordshire female was Witney runner Sarah Green.

She completed the course in 22nd place overall.

THE first race of this year’s Mota-vation Race Series takes place at Charlton-onOtmoor on April 30 (7). For entry forms, visit kidlingtonrunning.org.uk.

RESULTS ROUND-UP

CHOLSEY CHASE

(senior men unless stated)

Abingdon AC: 1 P Fernandez 53mins 2secs, 3 M Lewy 57.24, 18 J Moore (V50) 1hr 1min 51secs, 22 L Bailey 1.03.20, 27 C Whitehead 1.03.52, 28 D Drysdale (V40) 1.03.55, 38 D Smyth 1.05.33, 45 L McGill (SW) 1.08.06, 50 N Hamilton (V50) 1.09.02.

Alchester RC: 10 V Bayliss 1.01.01, 17 M Shipman 1.01.46, 29 S Worfolk (V40) 1.04.18.

Didcot Runners: 80 A Wakatsuki (SW) 1.15.21, 118 N Francis (V50) 1.24.17, 119 S Cousins (LV40) 1.24.17, 120 S Powell (LV40) 1.24.17, 121 H Taylor (SW) 1.24.18, 122 L Absolom (LV50) 1.24.18.

Eynsham RR: 12 G Bridges (MV40) 1.01.10, 20 L Creasey 1.02.04, 24 A McEwan-James 1.03.28, 69 T Evans (LV35) 1.13.17, 71 K Williamson 1.13.24 (1st LV60), 72 J Pinnock 1.13.24 (1st LV50), 99 P Creasey (V70) 1.20.19.

Thame Runners: 15 R Warner 1.01.42.

Oxford City AC: 2 S Copley 56.31.

White Horse Harriers: 25 C Norrish (SW) 1.03.44.

CARTERTON 10K

Banbury Harriers: 12 S Pritchard 38.31.

Eynsham RR: 11 B Pollard (V40) 37.33pb, 77 T Lawfull (LV35) 50.39.

Headington Road Runners: 1 J Eve 33.20.

Witney RR: 3 G Petts 35.19, 5 D Blake 36.39, 6 T Lock (V40) 36.51, 10 C Colbeck (V40) 37.33, 14 S Le Good 38.45, 18 N Dalton (V40) 39.59, 20 N Moglia (V50) 40.49, 22 S Green (SW) 41.05, 29 B Moore (VM50) 41.43, 30 C McLoughlin (SW) 41.51, 33 G Le Good (1st V60) 42.21, 36 S Howard (VL35) 42.37, 37 R Green (VM40) 42.42, 40 R Stanley-Evans (SW) 43.36, 43 J Field (VM40) 44.48, 44 N Morley (VM40) 44.50, 45 L Harris (VL35) 45.09.

Woodstock Harriers: 15 H Williams 39.27, 28 D Eisenhandler 41.31.