115th Oxford Uni. vs Cambridge Uni. Cross Country Race, Wimbledon Common, Pictures

One of the oldest fixtures in the calendar - the Varsity Cross Country race between Oxford and Cambridge Universities - was won by Jonathan Blackledge, who also had the pleasure of leading Oxford to a team win. It was the 115th running of the event and Oxford now move into the lead 58 wins to 57.

Decisive the individual victory might have been in the end, but with only 100m of the 7.5 miles remaining it was by no means certain who the winner would be. Italian Paulo Natali and Jonathan were well clear of the rest but shoulder to shoulder in their struggle to reach the funnel first. It was only JB's decisive final sprint that clinched it.

It was the end of a good week for Jonathan who had been voted Oxford University's Sportsman of the Year a few days earlier.

Great to see Richard Ward back in action. He's recovered from his broken toe but is still troubled by a chest infection. Nevertheless, with only three weeks running under his belt, Rich turned out to support his team.

7.5 miles. 1 J Blackledge (Oxford/Belgrave) 38:07; 2 P Natali (Cambridge/Italy); 3 F Thompson (Oxford/Aldershot F&D); 4 B Moreau (Oxford/Aldershot F&D); R Ward (Cambridge/Belgrave) also ran.

Teams: 1 Oxford 30; 2 Cambridge 51.

Restored from the club's earlier website, belgraveharriers.com, and published here as originally written.