LAST year Jamie Atkinson had to follow in the heels of race winner Mike Coleman but on Sunday it was the rest of the field who were chasing the the Blackheath and Bromley runner.

Atkinson threw down the gauntlet early on and after that it was only local favourite John Creane of Folkestone Road Runners who saw anything of the runaway Kent champion.

Atkinson shaved 69 seconds off his 2005 time to clock 31:35 winning by nearly a full minute from Creane who finished in 32:34.

There was a terrific battle for third place, which was taken by Ashford AC’s Andy Welch in 33:28. It also earned him the bronze medal in the Kent championships being held as part of the race.

He found an extra burst in the final straight around the stadium track to outpace Medand Maidstone’s Lee McMeekin who finished with 33:33.

Conditions were almost perfect for good times and it ensured another big field for the popular event which goes through Ashford town centre.

The Folkestone club continues to go from strength to strength and they claimed the men’s team prize and the county team trophy through Creane, ninth placed Sam Rigby (34:38) and Derek Match who was 23rd with 36:08.

In he veteran sections Dartford’s David Hall was the men’s 40 winner from Andrew Howey (TW Harriers) and Greg Stevens (Sevenoaks).

Duffill took the 50s catelgory from Peter Russell (Invicta EK) 35:26 and Ashford and District’s Pat Butler.

Men’s 60 winner was Invicta’s Martyn Rouse with a fine 38:56 from William Russell (40:34) and Mike Conway (Invicta) with 41:09.