Runners fight for places on the streets of Tunbridge Wells. Picture:Martin Apps

by Alan Newman

Runners from across Kent were among the 1,900 athletes who toed the start line for the 30th anniversary Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells Half-Marathon on Sunday.

Conditions were bitterly cold with snow flurries but the competition was red hot as the Essex cross-country champion Tom Payn, from the aptly-named Run-Fast Club, dictated the pace with Anthony Jackson (Sittingbourne Striders) and Paul Martelletti (Victoria Park Harriers).

Payn carved out a near three-minute cushion to win in 1hr7min11sec from Martelletti (1:10.01), who used his 2hr16min marathon strength to ease past Jackson (1:10.46).

Next in line were four members of Tonbridge AC in close order. Steve Fennell (1:11.33) was followed by Julian Rendall (1:11.53), Dan Bradley (1:12.42) and Tom Fewster (1:12.56).

The occasion was marked by the race being started by John Smith, Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, accompanied by club members Graham Brooks and 74-year-old Eric Schofield, who both ran in the inaugural race.

Also present were Paralympic footballers Darren Harris and Alistair Patrick-Heselton and Olympic judo representative Kelly Edwards as ambassadors for the Dame Kelly Holmes’ Legacy Trust. More than £85,000 has been donated to charities over the past five years from the proceeds of this race.