John Atyeo, from home club Witney Roadrunners, retained his Oxfordshire County ten-mile title on Sunday, revelling in the overcast, drizzly conditions.

The women's title was also a repeat of 2004, with Alchester's Jenny Pyper taking the honours.

In the open race, Russian runner Vasili Zverev, from Headington Roadrunners, took the lead after two miles and gradually drew away from the field over the hilly middle section to win by 90 seconds in a time of 55.54.

Atyeo's second place, closely followed by Jason Cooke of White Horse Harriers in third, was good enough to secure the county crown.

These two runners had dropped one of the pre-race favourites, Witney's Tony Lock, at the halfway point after Lock had looked sure of a podium finish

There were excellent finishes for Vet 50 Roy Treadwell (Oxford City) in seventh place and Vet 40 Rick Parsons (Witney), who came tenth.

The men's team prize in both the open and county races went to Witney (Atyeo, Lock, Parsons and Paul Clack).

The women's race was more clear-cut with Pyper leading all the way. She finished strongly in the second half after beating off the early challenge of Jane Wassall (Cirencester) 66.14.

The strong performance of the Witney women's team (Nicola Gomm, Elysia Ridley and Sally Pitts) ensured a first place for the club in both races.