MATHEW Ashton returned to the Mota-vation Series in style as he smashed the course record in the opening round of the season at Charlton-on-Otmoor.

Witney Roadrunner Ashton, who was running for first-claim club Aldershot, Farnham & District, was champion in 2003 – where he also broke the old course record at Charlton (20.25).

Ashton was a gun-to-tape winner as he crossed the line over the 4.1-mile course in 20mins 19secs.

He finished well clear of Woodstock Harriers’ Steve Naylor, who clocked 20.55.

Meanwhile, Abingdon Amblers saw four athletes in the top ten to clinch team victory.

Oz Ellis led the way in third place (21.28).

Paul Fernandez was fourth in 21.32, Les Newell seventh in 21.42 and Simon Fisher ninth in 21.49.

The women’s race was won by Headington Roadrunners’ Jude Craft.

She finished comfortably clear of former Witney Roadrunner Elysia Ridley, crossing the line in 23.44.

Alchester clinched the team prize with Jennifer McBain, Marina Johns and Sarah Rendell finishing in the top ten.

RESULTS

Men (top ten): 1 M Ashton (Aldershot, Farnham & Dist) 20.19, 2 S Naylor (Woodstock H) 20.55, 3 O Ellis (Abingdon) 21.28, 4 P Fernandez (Abingdon) 21.32, 5 G Harris (Headington RR) 21.38, 6 S Kimber (Windsor, Slough, Eton & Hounslow) 21.40, 7 L Newell (Abingdon) 21.42, 8 C Riley (Bedford & County) 21.46, 9 S Fisher (Abingdon) 21.49, 10 T Jones (Witney RR) 21.55.

Women (top ten): 1 J Craft (Headington RR, LV35) 23.44, 2 E Ridley (Swansea H) 25.07, 3 J McBain (Alchester) 25.45, 4 N Gomm (Witney RR, LV45) 26.27, 5 J Leitch (Ox Uni CCC) 26.31, 6 M Johns (Alchester) 26.35, 7 B Warne (unattached) 26.39, 8 D Moore (Headington RR) 26.41, 9 S Rendell (Alchester, LV35) 26.48, 10 C Harris (Headington RR) 26.50.

OTHER RESULTS

TEWKESBURY HALF MARATHON

Woodstock H: P Rayner (1st V60) 1.30.17, J Howard (LV45) 2.09.45.

MARLOW 5

Witney RR: T Lock 28.27, J-M Briens 29.39, D May 30.28, A Reynold 30.45, S Le Good 33.23, G Le Good 33.39, K Chard 33.42, M Harris 35.39, M S-Thompson 36.19, J Le Good 41.00, J Abrams 42.30, L Harrison 44.18, P Chard 50.44, Hannah Makins 58.16.

BLENHEIM 7K

Eynsham RR: R Storey (V40) 25.43, P Larbalestier (V50) 30.43, A Currie (LV35) 32.40, Z White (LV35) 34.42, L Reading (SL) 36.35, T Butler (U15) 40.30, S Butler 44.11, E Bishop (U15) 50.38, J Bishop 50.40, H Butler (U15) 55.25, E Butler (LV35) 55.26, M Bishop (U15) 56.59, J Bishop (LV35) 57.00.

Headington RR: C Slator (V40) 30.25, J Clargo (V40) 30.27, G Norris (1st V60) 33.00, S Harding (LV35) 37.43, N Firkin (LV35) 44.28.

Woodstock H: S Cruickshank 27.02, D Moseley 27.17, M Minchin 28.53, M Pidgeon (V50) 29.58, C Phillips (LV35) 34.50, S Haines (LV45) 37.06, J Millington (LV45) 40.55.

SRI CHIMNOY 3-MILE

Abingdon: 4 J Moore (V40) 18.20, 7 J Dixon (V40) 19.01, 8 J Wigmore (V50) 19.19, 9 J Oliver (V50) 19.46, 11 I Ramsell (V40) 20.33, 14 P Wilson (LV) 21.22, 19 A Durham (V40) 22.26, 21 M Piper (SL) 24.40, 22 B Devlin 29.07, 23 J Stimpson (LV) 29.08, 24 E Moore (LV) 29.57.

Headington RR: 10 C Slator 20.09, 20 B Green 23.06.

HALSTEAD & ESSEX MARATHON

Headington RR: R Baskerville (V40) 3.05.02, E Flouri (LV35) 3.15.48.

BRACKNELL HALF MARATHON

Kidlington: 229 W Bunce (V50) 1.42. 31, 352 S Morton (LV40) 1.47.45.