RECORDS tumbled as the cyclists prevailed again to retain the Markham Cup at the annual Boxing Day runners and riders event at Friday Woods.

With the course firmer than usual, the super fit cyclists tasted victory for the 16th consecutive time after packing the top 15 places before the first runner came in.

Highly-rated cyclo-cross teenager Cameron Hurst was in outstanding form to win.

He led from the start of the four-mile course, powering round the three 1.3-mile laps with determination and desire to finish in 16 minutes 45 seconds, breaking the course record previously held by Ben Patten (17m 51s).

Another promising teenager, Dexter Mansell Thomas, finished as runner-up in 17m 56m, just in front of last year's winner Mark Wellsted (18m 01s).

There was excellent team packing from Saul Mudoon (18m 05s), David West (18m 34s) and Keith Rendall (18m 41s) who completed the team, with six to score.

The first runner home was teenager Ramadan Osman, who worked hard all the way round the course to clock a personal best (PB) of 22m 22s.

The consistent Allen Smalls was a fine 17th in 23m 06s, with young Danny Millward 18th in a time of 23m 14s.

Cameron Humphries (24m 20s), Mark Lloyd (24m 27s) and Max Caulfield (24m 29s) completed the team.

Neil Pears, who first took part in this event in 1949, was one of the oldest competitors.

He completed the course an astonishing six minutes faster than his 2015 effort.

In the ladies' two-lap race, Ella Neale was first runner home in a superb run to win in 18m 39s.

She was followed by the talented Lynne Higgs (19m 15s) and the useful Georgina Sturgeon (20m 13s).

The top eight runners saw fine runs from Laura Hillyard (21m 44s), Rachael Mills (22m 28s), Grodzk I Aligor (22m 39s), Geraldine Springett (22m 52s) and Sian Hicks (23m 41s).

In the Junior one-lap race, Tom Sturgeon won in 10m 40s while in the under-13 race, all of the youngsters performed exceptionally well.

The first three competitors to complete the one-mile course were cyclists Aeddan Seaward, Jack Letch and Oliver Wellsted.

Ivan Burch presented the Markham Cup to the winning team.

Top-50 senior competitors over the three-lap race, results: Cameron Hurst C 16m.45,Dexter Mansel Thomas C 17.56, Mark Wellsted C 18.01. Saul Muldoon C 18.05, David West C 18.34, Keith Kendall C 18.41, Andy Crowther C 19.03, Ollie Partner C 19.04, Jamie Hazelton C 21.13, Stuart McCain C 21.14, Martin Smith C 21.15, Craig Mitchell C 21.52, Oliver Darcy-Smith C 22.0od4, Mark Brewer C 22.08, Joel Bramford C 22.20, Ramadan Osman R 22.22, Alan Smalls R 23.06, Danny Millward R 23.14, Cameron Humphries R 24.20, Mark Lloyd R 24.27, Max Caulfield R 24.29, David Wright R 24.47, James Farren R 25.05, Keerin Ollet C 25.15, Gary Morgan C 25.17, Paul Spowage C 25.19, Dean Frost R 25.25, Peter West R 25.30, Ermes Afewe R 25.36, Russel Goodridge R 25.41, Jack Butcher R 25.42, Gary Riches R 25.43, Keith Thomas R 25.53, Joseph Boden R 26.02, Fergus Gooch R 26.03,Chris Warren R 26.07, Tim Tripp R 26.09, Felix Spowage R 26.51, Dan Foster R 27.00, Rob Cranshaw R 27.03, Calum Mc Cain R 27.09, Richard Boden R 27.15, Simon Smith R 27.24, Matthew Brayshaw R 27.29, Richard Millward R 27.32, Michael Simpsons R 27.36, Garath Thomas R 27.55, Chris Manby R 27.57, Ant High R 28..01, Charlie Garros 28.03.

Ladies two-lap course - R.. Ella Neale 18.39, R Lynne Higgs 19.15, R Georgina Sturgeon 20.13, R Laura Hillyard 21.44, R Rachel Mills 22.28, Grodzk I Aligor 22.39, R Geraldine Springett 22.52, R Sian Hicks 23.41, R Nicola Martell Smith 24.21, Katie Cresswell Maynard 24.21, R Poppy Spowage 24.43, C Christine Rethman 24.50. R Rachel Abbott 25.03, R Rachel Norman 25.44, R Sue Sorrell 25.58, R Emma Spowage 27.13, R Sue Bennett 27.33, R Faye Small 29.09, R (three laps) Emma Cresswell Maynard 36.40.

Junior cyclists: 1st Aeddan Seaward, 2nd Jack Letch 3rd Oliver Wellsted.