Philip Sanger of Epsom & Ewell Harriers and Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood were the winning athletes at the 25th North Downs Run 30k from Cascades Leisure Centre in Gravesend.

Sanger was ranked 18th in Britain for 20 miles in 2007 but the pre-race favourite was probably the seven times champion, Barry Royden of Medway & Maidstone AC.

The winner’s spoils went to the Surrey athlete who was second in the previous two editions of this race and who was the only runner to dip under two hours on this challenging course.

Sanger’s time was 1hr 58min 8sec with Royden (M40, 2:01.01) celebrating his call-up to run 5,000m for England in a masters international at Ashford on Saturday by enjoying an over distance work-out in second place.

The bronze medal position was claimed by Mike Dooley (M40, 2:03.40) of the Army ahead of fellow M40 campaigner, Allen Smalls (2.05.37) of Colchester.

Prominent local athletes among the 500 strong field included Ray Pearce (M45, 2.09.25) who was supported by Steve Cable (M40, 2.14.05) and Mark Champion (M40, 2.21.36) in the winning team from Istead & Ifield Harriers.

The women’s race was a quality affair with Kent Grand Prix champion Oldershaw (W40, 2.17.20) taking the honours from Annabelle Stearns (W35, 2.20.28) of Gravesend Road Runners and former Paddock Wood athlete Tracey Woodyard (W40, 2.25.01) of Essex club, Springfield Striders.

Terri Raveh (2.44.12) of Paddock Wood took the W45 masters award and Claire Steward (2.51.12) of Dulwich Runners was the W55 winner.

Chiltern Harriers from Buckinghamshire won the team prize, led by Sandra Reynolds (W35, 2.29.20) who was fourth overall.