JAMES Bolton produced an outstanding display to retain his Cotswold Classic title.

The Woodstock Harrier completed the hilly 10-mile course near Witney in 54mins 8secs, just seven seconds slower than his best time.

Bolton battled Oxford City’s David Bruce early on, but pulled away to finish 2mins 32secs clear of the Mota-Vation Series champion.

Oxford City’s Steve Male was third in 57.20.

“I was very pleased with the race,” said Bolton.

“David Bruce and I ran together quite hard all the way up the hill to Leafield.

“Then on the way back down the hill I pressed on and got a bit of gap on him.

“I thought I better just go for it, did a five-minute mile from four to five and never looked back!

“I felt good and for the first time ever I ran a negative split for a race.”

He added: “I think David eased off a bit so that exaggerated the two and a half minute gap I had on him at the end.

“It’s one of my favourite races, so I was glad to defend my title and that Witney got such a good turnout of runners (309 finishers) as after last year the future of the race was in doubt.”

Bolton added the vet 40 and Oxfordshire titles for good measure and led Woodstock to the county team prize.

Jess Bruce (Headington Road Runners) won the ladies’ race in 1.06.48 and was also the Oxfordshire champion.

Alchester’s Samantha Usher was the second lady home in 1.07.41, which also earned her the open and county vet 35 prizes, while Katy Young (unattached) was third across the line in 1.09.48.

OXFORDSHIRE CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

MEN

Senior: 1 D Bruce (Oxf) 56.40, 2 M Tyrrell (Eyn) 1.00.10, 3 K Game (Wds) 1.01.06.

Vet 40: 1 J Bolton (Wds) 54.08, 2 D Cantwell (Wds) 59.30, 3 S Pritchard (Ban) 1.01.55.

Vet 50: I Lambourne (WHH) 1.05.10, 2 J Burgess (Alc) 1.06.12, 3 N Moglia (Wit) 1.10.22.

Vet 60: 1 D Parsons (Oxf) 1.09.28, 2 J Wigmore (Abn) 1.15.24, 3 D Coates (Chw) 1.17.57.

Vet 70: 1 N Lambert (Alc) 1.33.10.

Team: 1 Woodstock, 2 Witney, 3 Oxford.

LADIES

Senior: 1 J Bruce (Hed) 1.06.48, 2 H Brice (Eyn) 1.10.06, 3 F Snare (Wit) 1.11.09.

Vet 35: 1 S Usher (Alc) 1.07.41, 2 E Fidler (Alc) 1.14.44, 3 A Hopkins (Hed) 1.15.22.

Vet 45: 1 S Morton (Kid) 1.18.40, 2 A Barry (Hed) 1.22.47, 3 L Bedford (Abn) 1.28.23.

Vet 55: 1 L Davies (unatt) 1.23.11, 2 R Todd (Hed) 1.31.20, 3 S Haines (Wds) 1.34.13.

Team: 1 Headington, 2 Witney, 3 Alchester.