MOTA-VATION SERIES

DAVID Bruce clinched the senior and overall men’s titles after victory in round four at Combe.

The 28-year-old, from Oxford, has been the dominant man this summer, collecting four wins out of four.

And he showed no signs of flagging in the extremely hot conditions on a new hilly two-lap course.

Running for first-claim club Highgate Harriers, Bruce completed the 4.21-mile route in 21mins 50secs.

He saw off 2012 series champion Darrell Bellinger, who finished second in 22.03, with Abingdon’s Dan Hamilton a further 13 seconds back in third.

Bruce’s 100 per cent record was matched by Alan Reynolds (Witney Road Runners), who landed the vet 50 men’s title and new vet 45 ladies’ champion Sue Morton (Kidlington).

Reynolds finished 33rd on the night in 26.22, while Morton clocked 31.59 for 103rd.

City’s Matthieu Marshall is the new under 19 men’s champion after collecting his third category victory in four races, finishing 11th overall in 24.13.

Alchester’s Samantha Usher also sealed the vet 35 ladies’ crown on the night, as she cannot not be overhauled.

Usher was the first vet 35 lady home in 27.05.

Clubmate Michelle Pank (pictured) boosted her hopes of the senior and overall ladies’ titles.

Second place or better in the final round at Oxford on August 29 (7pm) will see Pank seal the senior and overall ladies’ titles.

Her closest rival, Jess Bruce (Headington Road Runners) was third senior lady home at Combe in 27.34, which gives Pank some breathing space.

Second place went to Headington’s Elizabeth Barker in 27.18.

Oxford City’s Julian Richardson took the men’s vet 40 honours in 23.18, but James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers), who missed the Combe race, remains the favourite to win the age group.

City’s Stewart Thorp was the first vet 60 man in 27.13 and will guarantee the title if he beats clubmate Roy Treadwell in the final round.

Gwyneth Hueter (Oxford City) bagged the vet 55 ladies’ spoils after edging out Eynsham Road Runners’ Kate Williamson by eight seconds, leaving them to battle it out for the title.

Organisers opted to have a second round at Combe this year due to problems with the traditional round four course at Chipping Norton.

Race director Michael Collins said: “The general feedback was that this new course was a success, despite the conditions.”