Jude Craft, of Headington Road Runners, was in record-breaking form in the final race of the 14th Motavation Race Series organised by the Kidlington Running & Athletic Club.

Craft continued her outstanding series by breaking the ladies' record by 44 seconds, though her lower than usual 37th place overall resulted from the strength in depth of a men's field.

Jude CraftThere were no fewer than five first time entrants in the record number of 192 starters from outside the county, and ten more runners broke 23 minutes.

Only five seconds separated the first three runners at the end of an exciting duel for honours

Jeremy Bradley (Oxford Univ) started to apply pressure to establish a small gap between himself, Andy Magnell (Shaftesbury Barnet), Kevin Sheppard (Tipton Harriers) and the rest of the field.

Sheppard started to fall back, while Richard Shipway (Woodstock) caught Bradley. A final burst by Bradley brought him ahead of Shipway.

But it was not enough for him to catch Magnell whose time was 19 seconds outside the course record.

Sheppard slipped back to eighth to finished equal first at the end of the series with Gary Harris (Headington), who finished fifth after losing contact with the leaders.

Veteran age group winners Allison Hirst (Headington) and Brian Green (Oxford City) both gained their fourth victories this season

In both super-veteran divisions, the series lead changed hands as John Exley (Oxford City) and Hilary O'Shea (Abingdon) claimed victories.

Headington retained the JA Pye Ladies' Challenge Plate and continued their stranglehold in the ladies' team event, while Oxford City pipped Woodstock Harriers to win the men's title.

The first race next season will be at Charlton-on-Otmoor on May 2. Details will be published in the Oxford Mail, here on This is Oxfordshire and on the Oxon AA website.

There will be a new men's V60 category in addition to the existing divisions.

See separate story for results