Bicester AC continued their fine start to the Kidlington Running Cub’s Motavation Road Race Series in the recently held second round race held in Oxford. This round was shorter than the first round race at Charlton measuring at approximately 4 miles. The race was run in very hot conditions representing an extra challenge to the athletes.
Turn the clock back a year ago and Bicester AC’s Joshua Moran finished 61st in 24mins 25secs. Bicester’s first placer on that occasion was 44th. Eight Bicester AC athletes contested this year’s race with Joshua Moran, back from university, toeing the start line along with 424 other runners. And it was Moran who led the Bicester contingent home with what was a quite outstanding performance. Moran became the first Bicester AC athlete, for several years, to finish in the top ten of a Motavation race as he placed a superb 4th. His time of 21mins 19secs was 47 secs behind the winning time and over three minutes quicker than his time from the previous year. He was also the leading under 19 male finisher.
Alexander Collins was Bicester’s star turn in race 1 and again put in a superb effort to finish 21st clocking 22mins 41secs placing him 3rd in the under 19 men’s race. Although one of the youngest runners in the event Collins has achieved two top three under 19 men’s placings in his first two Motavation events.
Finn Kerr improved on his opening effort at Charlton to comfortably make the top 100 of finishers placing 66th with 24mins 53secs. Max Finnegan was having his first Mota Vation race of the season and he placed in the top half of finishers in 152nd (28mins 17secs). Another big improver from last year was Josh Bradley who made the top 300 finishing in 296th with 34mins 21secs, nearly 3 minutes quicker than his corresponding time in last year’s race. Robert Parsons was running in his second Mota Vation race and he finished in 329th with 35mins 56secs. Bicester’s only female competitor on the day was Emelie Stocker who was also one of the youngest female runners competing. Stocker did well to finish 351st (37mins 31secs). The Bicester contingent was completed by club chair, Paul Groves, who placed 379th (39mins 52secs).