Daniel Merckel retained his Boxing Day cross country title over the Bungay Common course yesterday as he outstripped a record field for the event.

Daniel Merckel retained his Boxing Day cross country title over the Bungay Common course yesterday as he outstripped a record field for the event.

The 30-year-old Oxford City Athletics Club Runner, who has relatives in Norfolk, led from start to finish in the Bungay Black Dog Running Club event to finish in 26 minutes 36 seconds, 1min 18 seconds ahead of second placed Jamie Pringle.

It was 50 seconds better than his winning time last year, and he was pleased with the way it went.

“It was good, less muddy than last year and with a few less divots. This is a fun course,” he said.

Pringle, from Newcastle (Staff) AC, finished in 27-54, and was comfortable in second place, 38 seconds ahead of Lowestoft Road Runners' Carl Prewer, a previous winner, who was third in 28-32.

Lynn Emmett, of City of Norwich AC, won the women's event in 32-45, almost five minutes better than runner-up Ellie Mann, of Norwich Road Runners, who clocked 37-43. Sarah Vick, of the new Saxons AC from Saxmundham, was third in 37-59.

A highlight of the race was the performance of 10-year-old Cameron McKie, of Diss Athletics Club, who ran a remarkable time of 16-48 in the one lap race (2.2 miles) to finish second, behind Robert James of the host club, who had a time of 16-19. Third was Bungay High School runner Abbie Beales in 17-08.

Conditions were good for the race around the banks of the River Waveney on the picturesque common, with the going soft under an overcast sky, and the field of 13 runners was a record.

The official starter was the Town Reeve of Bungay, Maureen Davies, and the Mayor, Martin Evans, presented prizes at the end.

Results:

Men: 1 Daniel Merckel (Oxford City AC) 26-36, 2 Jamie Pringle (Newcastle (Staffs) AC 27-54, 3 Carl Prewer (Lowestoft Road Runners) 28-32.

Women: 1 Lynn Emmett (City of Norwich AC) 32-45, 2 Ellie Mann (Norwich Road Runners) 37-Sarah Vick (Saxons AC) 37-59.

One lap race: 1 Robert James (Bungay Black Dog RC) 16-19, 2 Cameron McKie (Diss AC) 16-48, 3 Abbie Beales (Bungay High School) 17-08.

Men 13-16: Alfred Chapman (Wymondham AC) 18-16; women 13-16: Abbie Beales; men 9-12: Cameron McKie; women 9-12: Tamsin Desborough (Waveney Valley AC) 21-00; dog and handler: Robert James; first Black Dog runner in two lap race: Richard Rhodes; first woman, Bobbie Sauerzapf.