Oxfordshire Cross Country Championships

Frances Briscoe posted a commanding victory in the senior women’s category at Horspath.

With Hannah England and Hatti Dean not competing this year, it paved the way for Briscoe, running for first-claim club Coventry Godiva, to cruise in.

Briscoe clocked 28mins 27secs over the 7,000m course, and she finished well clear of silver medalist Helen Barnes (Headington Roadrunners).

Lauren Kyte and Diane Moore finished third and fourth as Headington’s senior team secured the gold medal.

There was further success for Headington among the veterans.

Although the vet 35 race was won by Banbury Harrier Michelle Bartlett, Headington’s veterans, led by Adrienne Hopkins in third place, took team gold.

Banbury’s Ros Kelling took the vet 45 women’s title in style, clocking 29.50 to finish almost six minutes clear of her nearest rival, while Abingdon’s Noel Blatchford won the vet 55 crown.

Megan Roberts (Radley) emerged victorious in the under 20 women’s race, clocking 34.00, while Oxford City dominated the junior age groups.

Melissa Hawtin finshed well clear of the field, clocking 20.29 to win the under 17 girls’ race.

Imogen Kempton edged to victory in the under 15 girls’ race, in 14.43.

Lauren Hawtin finished third in 14.59, with Jade Walker six seconds further back in fourth.

To complete a fine day for the Hawtin family, the youngest of the clan, Beth, cruised home in the under 13 girls’ race in 11.10.

Radley’s Megan Humphreys was second in 11.33, with White Horse Harrier Sophie Lloyd third in 11.38.

And City completed a clean sweep of the junior girls’ titles as Elisha Evans won the under 11 race with a time of 5.26.