Headington Roadrunner Steve Kimber returned to action to post another victory in the third round of the Oxford Mail Cross Country League at Drayton School, Banbury.

With two races to go, Kimber, who missed the last round at Culham Park, still remains on course for his fourth successive league title, after this win in bitterly cold conditions.

The course was frozen solid after a week of sub-zero temperatures, and this led to a number of falls.

Kimber was pushed hard by White Horse Harriers’ Job King, who finished just 12 seconds adrift in 26.57, while Alchester’s Nigel Marley also kept up the challenge for league honours by finishing fifth in 27.24.

Kimber’s victory led Headington to another convincing team victory, seeing off Abingdon Amblers by almost 100 points.

White Horse Harriers were third with 353 points.

They now lead Abingdon by a massive 425 points with only two rounds to go – and the title already seems in the bag.

In the women’s race, White Horse Harriers’ Frances Briscoe stole the show as she posted a commanding victory.

Her time of 17.09 brought her home 18 seconds clear of the field, and she is now joint leader of the women’s standings with Team Kennet’s Rachel Elliott, who finished in third place.

Banbury Harriers landed team victory, led home by vet 45 runner Ros Kelling, who finished fourth in 17.42.

The Division 2 team prize went to Oxford City, for whom Under 20 athlete Martha Lloyd led the way in seventh place.

They now lead Radley A by 97 points and look set for promotion to Division 1.