DAVID Bruce and Melissa Hawtin were crowned Oxfordshire champions after superb displays in the third round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at Culham Park.
With the third round doubling up as the county’s cross country championships, Oxford City’s Bruce pulled away from the field at the end of the first lap to triumph in the men’s race in 30mins 29secs.
He finished 28 seconds ahead of Harry Earl (Border Harriers and Loughborough University) and 51 seconds in front of Paul Fernandez (Abingdon), the latter claiming the Vet 40 county title.
Bruce’s fine run helped Oxford City to a sensational success in the team event.
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With seven athletes in the first 20 runners, the club secured both first and second positions.
The senior women’s race was a lot closer, with Hawtin retaining her title, narrowly beating Oxford City clubmate Gemma Bridge by five seconds in 25.48.
However, with both runners at university in America, neither is free to compete in the Inter-County Championships at Birmingham in March.
Helene Greenwood (Kidlington) claimed the under 20 title, her time of 27.59 enough to secure 11th overall in the senior race.
Oxford City’s Megan Humphreys was a clear winner of the under 17 race, with Banbury Harrier Emily Thompson triumphing in the under 15 event.
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