Trains from Chiltern Railways have been running from Oxford to London for the first time, but they were not the only things speeding to Marylebone this week.

As the company launched its service between the cities for the first time yesterday, rivals Great Western Railway (GWR) were not to be outdone.

The train operator, which runs services to London Paddington, recruited 1996 Olympic silver medallist and former world champion Iwan Thomas to try and pip Chiltern's train to the post.

Oxford Mail:

Mr Thomas's friend boarded the 8.01am Chiltern train from Oxford to London, while the sprinter got on the 8.07am GWR service for a challenge broadcast on YouTube.

As his friend boarded the train Mr Thomas said: "I reckon not only can I get into London before you, I'll jog across from Paddington and I'll be waiting for you in Marylebone with a fresh cup of tea."

Mr Thomas, who won silver in the 4x400m relay in the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, was true to his word and completed the 1.9km run between the London stations with minutes to spare, handing over the hot beverage outside Marylebone.

GWR spokesman James Davis said: "“GWR gives you time to spare, with quicker journeys to London and prices starting at just £6 one-way."

The Chiltern Railways link –which cost £320m – is the first new railway line between a major British city and London for more than 100 years.

It opened a year after services began between Oxford Parkway and the capital.