by Alan Newman

Ashford AC's Robert Latala battled freezing wind and snow flurries to win the 30th Folkestone 10-mile road race on Good Friday.

Latala, pictured, averaged better than five minutes a mile for a return of 54min53sec. His time was six minutes slower than Mike Gratton’s celebrated 1985 course record of 48.45, but a decent run in the windy conditions.

Latala had a minute in hand over runner-up Jim Addison (55.46, Beckenham) with Medway and Maidstone's Adrian Lowther (56.33) clear in third place.

Theo Bately (Deal Tri, 58.57) was the leading M50 and the higher age group winners were M60 Trevor Edgely (Invicta, 66.15) and M70 Ronald Smith (Sittingbourne), who set an over-70 course record of 1hr34min34sec.

Perhaps the biggest smile was worn by the runner sporting race number 77, Ramon Saiz (Blackheath Harriers) from Maidstone. The former Madrid athlete celebrated his 77th birthday in style by completing the course for the 28th time in 1:44.

The women’s race was much closer, with Hazel Vuvi (Dartford Road Runners) taking the top prize in 1:01.05.

Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood, 1:01.46) set a new W45 course record in second place and defending champion Rona Loubser (Folkestone, 1:05.46) was third.

Julie Stoppani (Maidstone Harriers, 1:11.04) took the W45 award and the W55 trophy went overseas to Maja Van Zand (AC Alken, 1:17.09) from Belgium while team winners were Ashford AC men and Medway and Maidstone women.