The 6th Lydd Half Marathon took place on Sunday morning through the lanes of Romney Marsh with 600 runners facing the starter, writes Alan Newman.

The race incorporated the British Masters championships for men and women over 35 and was won outright by M35 Buzz Shephard (Dulwich Runners) in 1hr12min37sec from M35 Malcolm Muir (Ilford, 1:12:49).

Third overall was Medway and Maidstone’s Anthony Harkin with a personal best (1:14:08) after a sprint finish with M35 James Whetman (Thames Hare and Hounds, 1:14:10).

Local men in leading positions included Dan Sims (Tunbridge Wells Tri, 1:15:07), M45 David Weekes (Folkestone, 1:16:01), M35 Steve Throssell (Larkfield, 1:16:28), M40 Robert White (Dartford Road Runners, 1:19:32) and M50 Kevan James (Ashford, 1:22:11). Trevor Edgley (Invicta, 1:28:16) took the M65 title.

Shona McIntosh (Dulwich, 1:17:35) was an impressive tenth overall to win the women’s race easily from age group champions W35 Hazel Vuvi (Dartford Road Runners, 1:21:22) and W45 Clare Elms (Dulwich, 1:21:57).

Local women in prominent positions were Sarah Mooney (Larkfield, 1:31:46); W35 Bernadette Harrop (Medway and Maidstone, 1:32:28) and W35 Nicola Kirby (Canterbury, 1:34:16).