ABINGDON Amblers’ Noel Blatchford won two silver medals competing for Great Britain at the World Masters Indoor Championships in Finland.

Blatchford (pictured) finished second in the vet 60 ladies’ 3,000m walk and repeated that feat in the 10,000m event, which was held outdoors.

There was also medal joy for Abingdon’s Roz McKenzie and Judy Howard, who alongside Ann Wheeler (Leicester Walking Club) won vet 45 ladies’ team silver in the longer distance.

In the 3,000m, Blatchford came well behind Australian Heather Carr, who clocked 16mins 5.95secs, but took second in 17.50.96, just 1.34secs ahead of third.

Howard came fourth in the vet 55 event, clocking 17.54.57, while McKenzie was fourth vet 45 in 19.01.86.

In the 10,000m individual rankings, Howard was fourth again with a personal best of 1hr 1min 39secs, while McKenzie clocked 1.09.42.

Blatchord recorded 1.02.16 for her second silver of the championships.

  • PAUL Jegou and Kirsty Reade scooped an Oxfordshire double by winning the men’s and ladies’ titles at the Compton Downland Challenge.

White Horse Harrier Jegou picked up a second victory in his last three attempts, triumphing by almost 12 minutes on the undulating 20-mile multi-terrain course.

Didcot Runner Reade also enjoyed a large margin of success, finishing more than five minutes clear.

Jegou, 37, clocked 2hrs 16mins 48secs after leading from the start, while 39-year-old Reade crossed the line in 2.48.18.

  • PAUL Fernandez followed up his victory in the White Horse Half Marathon with fourth place in the Maidenhead Easter 10.

Abingdon Ambler Fernandez completed the ten-mile course in a personal best time of 52mins 55secs.

Sam Usher set a new Alchester ladies’ club record when finishing 112th overall in a personal best time of 65.33.

Headington Road Runner Chris Dettmar was 11th in 54.17 , Oxford City’s Steve Male 14th in 55.17 and Alchester’s Nigel Marley 16th in 55.27.