Conditions at Canterbury were extremely difficult for the penultimate Kent Fitness Cross-Country League race with deep, muddy puddles on the Blean Woods course, writes Alan Newman.

Dartford Harriers returned to winning ways in the combined team event and host club Canterbury Harriers were rewarded for their efforts in putting on the race with success in the women’s team results.

Champion-elect Chris Wyles (New Eltham) increased his lead in the individual men’s table with a classic gun to tape victory over 17-year-old Alex Cameron (Dartford Harriers). Craig Sharp (Dartford Harriers) was third.

Top-six places were claimed by Kris Noble (Sittingbourne Striders), Chris Biddle (Dartford Harriers) and Tom Purnell (Canterbury Harriers). The top 10 was then completed by David Lee (Sevenoaks), Josh Goodchild (Dartford Harriers), Gavin Kitchingham (M45, Bromley Vets) and David Hall (M45, Dartford Road Runners).

Holly Page (under-15, Dartford Harriers) astonished her much more experienced opposition to win the women’s race by 35 seconds from Jill Cliff (W40, Deal Tri Club) and 14-year-old Chloe Sharp (Dartford Harriers).

Victoria Kenny led Canterbury Harriers to team success in fourth place. Master athletes Jenny Neal (W40, New Eltham) and Jenny Benson (W35, Canterbury Harriers) completed the top six.