SULLIVAN Smith became the first man to record three victories in the Banbury 15 after leading from gun to tape.

The second-claim Banbury Harrier powered home in the 15-mile race in 1hr 24mins 13secs, more than two minutes ahead of second-placed Alan Buckingham (Team Bath).

History was also made in the ladies’ race, where Great Britain marathon runner Holly Rush (Team Bath) smashed the course record by almost six minutes.

White Horse Harriers’ Paul Jegou was the third man home, pulling clear of Aaron Burgess (Oxford City) in the second half to clock 1.26.44.

James Bolton (Woodstock Harriers) was fifth, while Tim Wright was the second Banbury runner home in seventh.

Banbury’s quartet of Smith, Wright (1.30.04), Pete Newell (1.33.46) and Simon Pritchard (1.35.35) claimed the men’s team prize.

Woodstock Harriers were second, with Bolton (1.28.18) followed home by David Cantwell (1.30.44), who was third vet 40, Kevin Game (1.33.18) and Bryan Vaughan (1.36.28), who was second vet 50.

Alchester’s John Nelson was the first vet 50 man in 1.34.56 and led them to team third.

Colin Wells (1.40.06), Andrew Stickley (1.40.45) and Jon Burgess (1.40.56) completed their line-up, with Burgess third in the vet 50 category.

Bruce Hendrie took the second vet 60 prize for Banbury, clocking 1.48.14.

Rush recorded 1.30.20 to demolish the previous ladies’ record held by Sophie Carter (Woodstock).

Carter, winner in the previous four years, pulled out mid race with a chest complaint.

Alchester’s Liz Grolimund was third senior lady in 1.43.35 as her club won the team prize.

She was backed up by Samantha Usher, whose time of 1.45.00 earned her second place in the vet 35 category, and Reena Lawlor (1.58.29).

Abingdon Amblers were the second ranked ladies’ team, thanks to Sarah Matthews (1.53.59), Inge Dornan (1.55.01) and Carrie Bolton (1.58.11).

Witney Road Runners were the third ladies’ team, courtesy of Kelly Lainsbury (1.46.38), Brigid Ellis (2.00.47) and Heather Smith (2.06.24).

SUBMITTED BANBURY 15 RESULTS

(senior men unless stated)

Abingdon Amblers: 17 R Kemp 1.34.04, 102 S Matthews (LV40) 1.53.59, 111 I Dornan (LV35) 1.55.01, 126 C Bolton (SL) 1.58.11.

Kidlington: 35 J Finnigan 1.42.01, 118 J Greenhill (V50) 1.56.06, 124 S Evins 1.57.29, 132 A Finnigan (LV35) 1.58.53, 167 W Bunce (V60) 2.02.56, 168 S Morton (LV35) 2.02.58, 199 T Langrish (V50) 2.08.10, 204 M Search (V60) 2.09.04, 246 N.Holford (LV45) 2.19.44, 249 M Collins (V60) 2.20.57, 266 R Young 2.25.55.

Headington Road Runners: 27 R. Stewart (SM) 1.39.19, 71 M Biglin (V50) 1.48.25, 81 A Lyng (SL) 1.50.47, 83 C Slator (V40) 1.51.18, 110 T Murfitt 1.54.44, 123 P Brame (V40) 1.57.28 pb, 127 T Mean 1.58.20, 130 P Lister (V50) 1.58.39pb, 146 S Cowls (V50) 2.00.22, 158 S Farrow (LV45) 2.01.42, 166 M Lennholm (V50) 2.02.55, 176 E Croft (SL) 2.04.28, 177 L Macaskill (LV45) 2.04.28 pb, 216 C Waugh (SL) 2.11.37, 223 A Munday (V40) 2.12.45 pb, 229 G Norris (V60) 2.13.13, 236 F Hargreaves (SL) 2.14.52, 237 J Stephens (V40) 2.14.57, 278 G Day (V40) 2.30.23, 293 M Russell LV45) 2.42.13, 294 K Villiers (V60) 2.43.15, 303 S Doel (LV65) 2.57.55 (club record).

Oxford City: 4 A Burgess 1.27.29, 50 S Saloovana 1.44.58.

White Horse Harriers: 3 P Jegou 1.26.44s, 41 J Peake (V40) 1.43.25, 68 S Leech (V45) 1.47.34, 152 I Rees 2.00.59, 171 C Hazell (LV40) 2.03.33, 209 D Stringfellow (V50) 2.10.00, 238 J Smeddle (V50) 2.16.39, 247 J McCabe (LV45) 2.19.58, 252 S Bedford (SL) 2.21.54.

Woodstock Harriers: J Bolton 1.28.18, D Cantwell (3rd V40) 1.30.44pb, K Game 1.33.18, B Vaughan (2nd V50) 1.36.28, H Price 1.36.57, M Ineson 1.40.13pb, G Bird (V40) 1.44.33, M Pidgeon (V50) 1.51.20pb, N Preddy (V50) 1.51.50, K Steele (LV35) 1.52.30, P Brackett (V50) 1.52.32, S Cantwell (LV35) 1.58.53, M Shipway (V65) 2.00.50, K Adams 2.17.17, C Travi (V40) 2.18.30.

Witney Road Runners: J Young 1.34.00, G Petts 1.35.49, C Whitehead (V45) 1.42.50, A Giles 1.45.28, K Lainsbury (SW) 1.46.38, J Whelan (V50) 1.52.54, K Chard (V55) 1.53.59, G Ferris (V45) 1.54.02, A Church 1.59.03, B Ellis (LV35) 2.00.47, N Basson 2.02.31, H Smith 2.06.24, L Jones (LV35) 2.20.05, H West (LV55) 2.23.00.