International runner Mark Flint, from Birchfield Harriers, stole the show at the 11th Headington 5-mile road race, which incorporated the Oxfordshire 5-Mile Championships, writes Jon Murray.

The race, which had more than 350 runners, was dominated by a fast men's field, with Flint leading the strong contingent home in a time just outside the course record set over eight years ago.

He got the better of Dan Robinson, from Tipton Harriers, after the race developed into a duel between the pair following the first mile.

Flint finished in a time of 24.19, just three seconds in front of Robinson, with Headington's Gary Harris pulling away from the chasing pack to take third place and claim the Oxon 5-mile title in a new personal best of 24.54.

Local runners Dennis Walmsley (Bourton), Simon Pritchard (Banbury), John Goodhand (Eynsham), Derek Brown (Chiltern), Brian Vaughan (Woodstock) and Matt Barnes (Headington) all packed in good times, with top ten finishing positions.

Brown took the M40 prize and Vaughan the M40 county gold, with senior silver and bronze going to Pritchard and Barnes.

Despite not having a top ten finisher, Oxford City's packed runners won the men's team race and county prizes ahead of Headington.

In the women's race, it was a Russian visitor, Ylena Plastymina, who stole the honours, winning in convincing style to set a new course record of 28.12 and also taking the F35 prize.

Headington's Jude Craft, finished in second place in a time of 29.05, but was rewarded with the women's Oxon 5-mile title to make it a double for host club Headington.

The rest of the women's race was dominated by Witney runners, with Sally Pitts leading their winning team home to take third place overall in a time of 30.48 and county F35 gold, ahead of her clubmate Jeanette Ashton. Witney ladies took the county team prize with their quartet of Pitts, Ashton, Liz Leigh and Rose Newell.

There was also success for Witney in the Vet 50 category with John McCormac picking up a bronze medal.

Tony Lock led the Witney contingent, coming home in 27.03, 14 seconds ahead of Mike Baillie, whose time of 27.17 was a personal best. There were also bests for Andy Clipson Boyles (33.17) and Leigh (39.24).

Alchester's Pete Chivers (30.07) won the county title for the veteran men over 50 years category.