10 seconds into the race and last years winner Colin Paton had the lead.

At the Abbey Gateway, after about five miles, there was a leading group of three … 646: James Pearson from Beverley AC, 464: Stephen Male from Oxford City AC, and 89: James Bolton of Woodstock Harriers.

At about the half way point 464 and 646 had built up a lead over the following runners.

24 miles into the race 464 and 646 were still running together up West St Helen Street.

They were still running together back onto the Tilsley Park athletic track, but then Stephen Male pulled away, and finished with 2 hrs 31.

The first Abingdon Amblers AC athlete to cross the line had an amazing time of 2 hrs 36.

Here he is at the halfway point: Paul Fernandez. I think he finished third but am a bit worried I missed somebody in the 5 minute gap between 2nd and 3rd.

At Abingdon Vale Cricket ground there are normally 40 or 50 youngsters practising cricket on a Saturday morning but today the nets were being rolled up and put away.

Fresh soil had also been spread across sections of the cricket ground, and the areas reseeded.

(The cricket club seem to be doing well with 4 adult Saturday teams in the Cherwell League, and a Sunday team – as well as all the youngsters. Good luck to them next season.)

Just over the River Thames near Radley Lakes there is the Culham Park Motocross Track, and there was racing this weekend.

The track  loops up and down the hillside several times with a series of severe bumps on the bottom section near the river. The start is up a broader incline, allowing all the bikes to roar off together before reaching the hilltop and the first right hand turn.

Some of the down hill sections involve spectacular jumps

Before this race began, I saw a lots of stewards walking the track to ensure there were no obstacles on the dirt track. The bikes go at such speed – any object would be dangerous.