Marcus Maxwell brought home his Woodstock Harriers teammates into first place as they retained the Oxfordshire Road Relay title over an undulating 3.2-mile course at Hook Norton.

Harriers comfortably beat west Oxfordshire rivals Witney Roadrunners into second place by more than one and a half minutes.

Abingdon Amblers led after the first of six legs, courtesy of Les Newell, whose time of 17mins 20secs was the second quickest of the day.

Banbury Harriers went in front after leg two through Chris Hepworth, but when Woodstock took the lead at the start of the third leg, they never looked back.

Maxwell anchored Woodstock home in an aggregate time of 1hr 52mins 9secs with Witney clocking 1.53.42 and Abingdon Amblers finishing third in 1.54.15.

The veteran men's competition was won by Headington Roadrunners in a combined time of 1.55.30, with Woodstock taking silver and Abingdon bronze.

In the women's competition, it was a close battle with the result in doubt until the last of the three legs.

Ros Kelling put Banbury Harriers ahead with the fastest leg of the day (20.26), and Tanya Morgan finished leg two to give Banbury a 20-second lead over Radley.

However, Megan Roberts produced a storming run of 22.17 on the anchor leg to secure Radley victory by eight seconds ahead of Banbury Harriers.

Woodstock Harriers earned gold in the veteran women's competition ahead of Witney and Abingdon.

In the boys' race, White Horse Harriers (James Rhodes, Anthony Holmes and James Ritter) emerged victorious, covering the three short legs in 18.19.

Abingdon Amblers were second in 18.30 and Banbury Harriers third in 19.39.

The girls' event was won by Banbury Harriers, whose trio clocked 20.41.

White Horse Harriers claimed silver in 20.47 and Abingdon the bronze in 22.31.

RESULTS

Senior men (top six): 1 Woodstock H A 1.52.09, 2 Witney RR A 1.53.42, 3 Abingdon A 1.54.15, 4 Banbury H A 1.54.45, 5 Cherwell A 1.55.50, 6 Radley 1.57.37.

Veteran men (top six): 1 Headington RR 1.55.30, 2 Woodstock H A 1.57.20, 3 Abingdon A 2.01.37, 4 Oxford C A 2.02.00, 5 Cherwell 2.06.42, 6 Alchester 2.08.14, 7 Banbury H A 2.10.25, 8 Abingdon B 2.18.14.

Senior women (top six): 1 Radley 1.06.20, 2 Banbury H A 1.06.28, 3 Alchester A 1.06.33, 4 Abingdon A 1.07.42, 5 Headington RR A 1.09.26, 6 Alchester B 1.12.02.

Veteran women (top six): 1 Woodstock A 1.07.16, 2 Witney RR A 1.07.44, 3 Abingdon A 1.08.09, 4 Headington RR A 1.09.59, 5 Eynsham RR A 1.10.59, 6 White Horse H 1.11.34.

FASTEST LEGS

Senior men: 1 R Glastonbury (Radley) 17.00, 2 L Newell (Abingdon) 17.20, 3 T Wright (Banbury H) 17.31.

Vet 40 men: 1 C Hetherington (Headington RR) 17.39, 2 V Zverev (Headington RR) 18.06, 3 J Atyeo (Witney RR) 18.19.

Vet 50 men: 1 C Sykes (Woodstock H) 17.52, 2 P Huxley (Oxford C) 19.08, 3 R Grant (Oxford C) 19.25.

Vet 60 men: 1 R Treadwell (Oxford C) 19.27, 2 M Shipway (Woodstock H) 20.40, 3 M Worthington (Headington RR) 20.52.

Senior women: 1 S Tyers (Radley) 20.53, 2 L Gottwald (Abingdon) 21.20, 3 K Bamber (Witney RR) 21.48.

Vet 35 women: 1 R Kelling (Banbury H) 20.26, 2 S Sheppard (Woodstock H) 21.01, 3 S Matthews (Abingdon) 22.19.

Vet 45 women: 1 N Gomm (Witney RR) 20.28, 2 S Wolanski (Headington RR) 21.32, 3 G Rayner (Witney RR) 22.23.

Vet 55 women: 1 K Williamson (Eynsham RR) 23.52.