PAUL Thomas, of Didcot Runners, was the top local finisher in the popular Abingdon Marathon whi-ch took place around the streets of the town on Sunday morning.

Thomas came a highly- creditable 55th of the 744 runners who took part, completing the 26.2 mile course in 2hrs 28mins 26 secs. A total of 703 finished the gruelling race which took place in heavy rain.

His strong finish saw him come second in the men’s V50 Oxfordshire County Champ-ionship.

Another athlete to star was Abingdon AC's Julia Wiblin, who came third in the ladies V45 County Championship, after recording 3.45.58.

She was the second Abingdon club member to finish, behind V50 runner Nicholas Hamilton, who completed in 3.11.50.

Dan Peace was the first White Horse Harriers runner home, coming 84th in 3.03.06.

The race was won by Ben Fish, of Blackburn Harr-iers,in 2.26.55. The first Oxon runner to finish was third-placed James Bolton (Wood-stock Harriers.

The ladies race was won by Lucy Hodgson, from Newquay Road Runners.

ABINGDON MARATHON RESULTS

(Senior men unless stated)

Men: 1 B Fish (Blackburn Harriers) 2hrs 26min 55secs, 2 M Bennett (Southampton) 2.27.01, 3 J Bolton (Woodstock Harriers, V40) 2.37.38, 4 J Sharp (Inverclyde) 2.40.15, 5 M Worringham (Reading RR) 2.40.24.

Ladies: 1 L Hodgson (Newquay) 3.00.08, 2 J Singer (Victoria Park Harriers) 3.01.04, 3 A McEwing (Erme Valley) 3.02.40, 4 J Salter (Les Croupiers) 3.03.07, 5 N Brockbank (Springfield Stiders) 3.03.56.

OXON COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Senior men: 1 J Bolton (Woodstock Harriers), 2 F Campbell (Headington RR), 3 D Cantwell (Woodstock Harriers).

V50 men: 1 J Nelson (Alchester RC), 2 P Thomas (Didcot Runners), 3 A Reynolds (Witney RR).

V60 men: 1 B Vaughan (Woodstock Harriers), 2 J Knowles (unattached).

Senior ladies: 1 J Bruce (Headington RR), 2 D Bridges (Eynsham Roadrunners), 3 K Young (unattached).

V45 ladies: 1 S Wolanski (Headington RR), 2 L Gettins (Compton Harriers), 3 J Wiblin (Abingdon AC).

CLUB RESULTS

(Senior men unless stated) Didcot Runners: 55 P Thomas (V50) 2.58.26, 146 R Sharp (V45) 3.12.22, 188 M Deering 3.17.17, 213 D Reeves 3.22.18, 338 E Naughton (SL) 3.40.35, 365 P Beecham (LV40) 3.45.15, 405 S Hewerdine (V40) 3.50.16, 637 L Absolom (LV45) 4.37.37, 653 J Scarborough V60 4.42.58, 672 S Howes 4.50.16, 673 B Pine 4.50.59.

Abingdon AC: 142 N Hamilton (V50) 3.11.50, 375 J Wiblin (LV 45) 3.45.58, 378G Robinson 3.46.13, 490 K Dixon (V40) 4.02.02, 651 P Groves (V50) 4.42.15.