Simon Pritchard, of Banbury Harriers, beat off a spirited challenge from Oxford City's John Chapple to win the Shotover MT Gallop.

Pritchard's time was 25.49, just 13 seconds quicker than Chapple, with Tim Hughes, of White Horse Harriers, third - and first veteran - home in 26.51.

This trio and Eynsham's Martin Smith, in fourth place, were all faster than the previous men's course record.

Further down the field there was a battle all the way between Everard Robinson and Dickie Langton to be the first over 50 runner home which 60-year-old Everard just won from his 55-year-old rival. Although the race consisted of only a small field, there were some outstanding performances.

There was also no lack of quality performances in the women's race with the Radley Ladies duo of Gill Dean and Tracy Galbraith both storming home comfortably within the previous course record to finish fifth and eighth overall respectively.

Third woman home was Oxford City's Gwyneth Hueter in 32.34.

Shotover MT Gallop times: S Pritchard (Banbury H) 25.49, J Chapple (Oxf City) 26.02, T Hughes (WHH) 26.51, M Smith (Eynsham) 27.54, G Dean (Radley) 28.49, S Malone (Head) 29.33, T McCaid (unatt) 29.47, T Galbraith (Radley) 29.58, A Roberts (Aylesbury) 30.13, A Duncan (Abingdon) 30.16, G Le Good (Witney) 30.50, E Robinson (Head) 30.52, D Ponting (unatt) 30.56, R Langton (Oxf City) 31.01, M Curtis (unatt) 31.02, S Twinn (Abingdon) 32.21, N Braggins (Banbury) 32.25, A Thompson (unatt) 32.29, G Hueter (Oxf City) 32.34, P Ralph (Alchester) 34.34, H O'Shea (Abingdon) 36.41, I Mortiboys (unatt) 38.09, D Roberts (Abingdon), G Norris (Kid) 42.39, M Allen 43.14, B Page (Alchester) 43.23, J Wiblin (unatt) 43.34, C Blackhouse (unatt) 43.34.