Local athletes are preparing themselves for an exciting second round of the Mota-vation Race series after a record-breaking opening round at Charlton-on-Otmoor.

Newcomers Mark Flint and Kevin Sheppard led from the start, with Flint breaking away after a mile to come home 12 seconds inside Duncan Cooper's official course record set in 1995 - but ten seconds outside Jerry McCarthy's earlier best time.

Even more spectacular was the superb 26th place overall by Jude Craft, who smashed Mandy Lo's 1995 record by more than a minute, and Kim Osment's earlier best time by 45 seconds. Wendy Jones was also well inside the record.

The next race will be at Bletchingdon on June 7 (7.30).

LEADING TEAM SCORES

Men (6 per team): Oxford City A 72 pts, Banbury Harriers A 124, Woodstock Harriers A 155, Headington RR A 170, Oxford City B 190.

Ladies (3 per team): Headington RR A 11 pts, Headington RR B 29, Oxford City 40, Witney RR A 49, Cherwell A 55.