On a grey and cool evening 124 riders turned up to face the challenging 2.7 mile off road course round the bowl area.

With a mixture of technical and off camber single track and gruelling grassy tracks, the course is one of the most difficult around, and was made even more challenging by the wet and muddy conditions.

The race certainly tested the riders with a number of minor incidents, falls and punctures.

Things got off to a fast start with the stronger riders getting into an early rhythm and there were a number of tussles for posistion including two competitors running to the finish with their broken bikes!

At the finish there were smiles all round with the majority saying they had really enjoyed it, although perhaps not those who had to pull out due to mechanical problems.

The Milton Keynes side were well represented at the event, with notable results including Lee Goodman 5th, Ed Catford 11th and Steve Torley 13th in the Seniors race.

Carl Stokenback coming 6th in the Vets. Rob Chaundy 5th and Keith Jones 11th in the Grand Vets. And Claire Yearby 5th in the Ladies.