OXFORD University student Fabian Downs held off Woodstock Harriers’ James Bolton to win the Hanney 5 road race.

The 26-year-old Chiltern Harrier battled it out with 39-year-old Bolton for much of the fast five-mile course.

But Downs eventually edged clear to win in 25mins 25secs, with Bolton clocking a personal best 25.33.

Bolton had the consolation of winning the Oxfordshire title, as Downs was ineligible to contest that award.

Local girl Frances Briscoe won the ladies’ race by more than a minute.

The 29-year-old, from Wantage, cruised home in 28.48 to set a new best time for the distance and finish 13th overall.

Running for her first-claim club, Coventry Godiva Harriers, Oxfordshire cross country champion Briscoe comfortably saw off second-placed Allison Hirst (unattached), who clocked 29.56.

Oxford City’s Aaron Burgess was the third man home in 26.36, ahead of clubmates Steve Male (27.21) and Steve Overton (27.55), who were the first vet 40 and 50 respectively.

City were, however, edged out by Woodstock for the men’s team prize on countback, while Headington Road Runners took the ladies’ team award.

Hirst’s superb run gave her the Oxon title and vet 45 ladies’ honours, while Alchester’s Samantha Usher took the vet 35 crown in 31.30.

White Horse Harriers’ Sheila Bailey claimed the vet 55 title in 35.27.

The men’s vet 60 category proved incredibly competitive, with winner Peter Molloy (Swindon Harriers) finishing 19th overall in 29.05.

Exeter Harrier Gordon Seward came 25th in 29.54, followed by Oxford City’s Stewart Thorp, who was 28th in 30.12, but at least had the consolation of taking the Oxfordshire title.

HANNEY 5 RESULTS

OXFORDSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP ROLL OF HONOUR
MEN
Senior: 1 J Bolton (Woodstock H), 2 A Burgess (Oxford City), 3 K Game (Woodstock). Vet 40: 1 D Cantwell (Woodstock), 2 S Pritchard (Banbury H), 3 B O’Connor (Woodstock). Vet 50: 1 M Richards (Headington RR), 2 J Nelson (Alchester), 3 M Pidgeon (Woodstock). Vet 60: 1 S Thorp (Oxford City), 2 G Pritchard (Banbury H). Vet 70: 1 M Shipway (Woodstock). Overall: J Bolton. Team: Woodstock 40pts.
LADIES
Senior: 1 L Purbrick (Abingdon Amblers), 2 C Noakes (Headington RR), 3 K Bamber (Witney RR). Vet 35: 1 S Usher (Alchester), 2 A Hopkins (Headington), 3 R Shaw (Headington). Vet 45: 1 A Hirst (unatt), 2 A James (Headington RR), 3 H Smith (Witney RR). Vet 55: 1 S Bailey (White Horse Harriers), 2 P Wilson (Abingdon). Vet 65: 1 R Webb (Radley). Overall: A Hirst. Team: Headington 186pts.
OTHER SUBMITTED RESULTS
(senior men unless stated)
Kidlington: 21 M Dilks 29.13, 63 C Brading (V40) 34.17, 64 B Brading 34.17, 69 J Greenhill (V50) 34.32, 70 A Finnigan (LV35) 34.35, 85 S Morton (LV40) 35.43, 102 S.Evins 37.39, 106 M.Search (V60) 38.03, 126 T Langrish (V50) 40.27, 134 N Holford (LV45) 42.08, 139 V Russell (LV45) 43.13, 146 K Brading (LV40) 45.45.
White Horse H: 6 P Jegou 27.59, 16 D Peace 29.00, 47 P Finch (V40) 32.30, 62 H Chaundry 34.15, 67 G Wiggins 34.22, 82 S Bailey (LV55) 35.27, 107 C Hazell (LV40) 38.09, 111 G Smith (V50) 38.50, 117 D Stringfellow (V50) 39.15.
Witney RR: N Dalton (V40) 31.59, K Chard (V50) 34.12, K Bamber (SL) 34.54, G Le Good (V60) 35.06, C Miles 36.15, A Church (V40) 37.06, H Smith (LV45) 39.08, J Le Good (LV55) 41.50, J Gamage (LV40) 42.20, H West (LV55) 44.00, L Jones (LV35) 44.17.
Woodstock Harriers: J Bolton 25.33 pb, D Cantwell 28.01 pb, K Game 28.52, H Price 29.03, B O’Connor (V40) 29.46, S Joyce 30.37, C Gray (V50) 31.12, W Hudson 32.02 pb, M Pidgeon (V50) 32.18 pb, C Mower 33.06 pb, N Preddy (V50) 33.34, S Cantwell (LV35) 34.42, J Harrison (JM) 35.02, M Shipway (V70) 35.49, A Harrison (V40) 36.30, L Clarke (LV35) 38.14 pb, K Adams 39.29, A Blincowe (LV35) 41.09 pb, K Bird (LV35) 42.07, D Richens 42.27 pb.