Second place proved good enough for Oxford City’s Steve Male as he clinched the 2009 Mota-vation Road Race series at Chipping Norton.

Male had to give best to returning 2003 champion Mathew Ashton, who cruised to an easy victory, but Male’s second place was enough for the title.

Ashton was just a second outside the course record, clocking 21mins 12 secs – 50 seconds ahead of Male.

In the battle behind him, Male drew away from Tim Traynor after three miles to secure the championship.

Meanwhile, Rhys Glastonbury and Roy Treadwell secured fourth successive wins in their respective under 19 and vet 60 divisions.

Helen Barnes gained her third victory in the senior ladies’ category in leading Headington Roadrunners to another clean sweep in the ladies’ team event.

Kate Williamson gained her fourth win to retain the vet 55 ladies’ division title.

Despite having four runners in the top 12, lack of strength in depth meant that Abingdon failed to make headway on Oxford City in the men’s team event, so it looks likely that City will retain their title.

The final race is on September 3 at Marston Ferry Road, Oxford (7pm).

RESULTS

(top 20, senior men unless stated)

1 M Ashton (Aldershot, Farnham & District) 21.12, 2 S Male (V40) 21.52, 3 T Traynor (WHH) 22.11, 4 K White (Hercules Wimbledon) 22.18, 5 P Fernandez (Abingdon) 22.27, 6 P Egerton (Abingdon) 22.30, 7 R Glastonbury (WSEH, U19) 22.37, 8 G Harris (Headington RR) 22.41, 9 T Wright (Banbury H) 22.47, 10 J Simmons (Banbury H, U19) 22.52, 11 O Ellis (Abingdon) 22.57, 12 L Newell (Abingdon) 23.02, 13 J Richardson (Oxford C, V40) 23.13, 14 B O’Connor (Woodstock H) 23.15, 15 A Burgess (Oxford C) 23.19, 16 T Jones (Witney RR) 23.20, 17 P Jegou (WHH) 23.22, 18 T Bradford (Hook Norton) 23.24, 19 A Gleeson (Oxford C, V40) 23.37, 20 D Pebody (Cherwell) 23.48.

OTHER RESULTS

BEARBROOK 10K

Headington RR: 234 B Cornelius 50.46, 241 T Hampden 51.43 pb.

  • BICESTER’S Curtis brothers, Freddie and Jackson, both won bronze at the England National AA Championships in Bedford.

Under 15 Freddie threw a massive 51.58m in the javelin – adding four metres to his previous club record.

His older brother Jackson also took third in the under 17 javelin with 56.64m.