Newcomer James Bowler stormed around the four miles and 47 yards course for the fifth and final race of the 13th Mota-vation series, held at Oxford Harlequins Rugby Club, in 20.37 to beat series winner Gary Harris by eight seconds.

In doing so, he denied Harris a clean sweep, with Banbury's Simon Pritchard, second in the series, a further five seconds behind.

These three were well clear of the rest of the field, followed 40 seconds later by Vet 40 leader Brian Green of Oxford City.

Green was second overall in the series among Vet 40 men, having an equal score (over the best four races) with Tim Hughes (White Horse Harriers), but Hughes was declared the series winner in this category with a 2-1 head-to-head lead.

Among the ladies, Jude Craft, of Headington Road Runners, finished in 20th place overall to gain a fourth first place and the series victory. She beat Headington teammates Katherine LaFrance, running her third race, by a full two minutes, and Alison Hirst by more than three minutes.

But Hirst, although beaten by Witney's Sally Pitts in this race, won the series ladies' veteran division on the strength of her three previous wins.

In the Vet 50 men's division, Mick Welland (Oxford City) beat Bob Wells to gain outright victory in the series.

The overall strength of the Oxford City men, with eight runners in the top 16, assured them of a runaway victory for the men's team event for the third year running.

Craft, LaFrance and Hirst brought victory to Headington Road Runners in the first year of the ladies' team plate.

Special prizes for the Series were also awarded to Everard Robinson as leading Vet 60 man, Headington Road Runners and Cherwell Road Runners for the two largest entries of the series, and to the Eynsham Road Runners Men's B team.