INVICTA East Kent’s extraordinary young star Charlotte Dale didn’t just beat Ashford and District’s 12-year-old ladies 10km course record on Sunday ­– she shattered it by more than three minutes.

The talented 20-year-old produced a storming run in perfect conditions on her debut at the course and gained a personal best 32:13 at the same time. The previous best was 35:16 set by Debbie Percival back in 1993.

It was a day for fast times and there were several personal bests set on the day by the 500-strong field. But Dale was the star with only four of the county’s best men able to finish ahead of her.

Mike Coleman claimed his second successive men’s crown and had there been someone strong to push him along the seven-year-old men’s record could have fallen as well.

He finished a convincing winner with 30:23, also a best time for the Dover man who runs for Maidstone and Medway, and excactly a minute better than his winning time last year.

Coleman looked on target for the 1997 men’s record of 30:05 for a time but the drive behind him never came and he finished just under half a minute ahead of closest challenger Kojo Kyereme of Shaftesbury Barnet, who was making his debut in the event.

And with Andrew Thomas third in 32:06 and Neil Renault fourth with 32:11 there was never much doubt Maidstone and Medway would claim the team trophies.

The best of the local runners was John Creane in fifth for Folkestone Running Club with a personal best 33:04 with Ashford AC’s Ian King also making the top 10 with 35:02.

But all eyes were on the amazing Dale. The tiny, slightly-built blonde was occasionally hidden among the knot of men around her but by the finish she was still striding away strongly in the clear.

It was the fastest time she had ever run for the distance with her only better time coming on the track and she was delighted with the performance.

It shows she is in great shape having concentrated on cross country and is looking forward to the world trials this month.

Second was another international in Shaftesbury’s GB triathlete Emma Archer in her first straight 10km run for several years.

She came home in 37:04 to hold off Medway and Maidstone’s Jenny Harnett with 37:09 and Ashford AC’s Janine Brown was just out of the trophies in fourth but pleased with a personal best 37:16 in her own build up to the London marathon.

Dale’s victory and Janince Moorekite’s win as the leading veteran in 39:35 ensured Invicta were the women’s team winners along with Justine Tuck’s fine 43:18.