INVICTA East Kent's over-45 women athletes produced a superb performance to claim third place in the National Road Relays at Sutton Park, Birmingham.

Led by Liz Batty, the women were actually fourth through the tape, behind Wrexham, but the Welsh team were disqualified for fielding two ineligible runners.

Batty, suffering from a hip injury, ran the first leg and brought the team home in second over the six-mile course. Her time of 18min 56sec was the third fastest of the day, and gave her team a useful cushion.

Annie Ross-Davies took over to come home in 22.20 and Pam Clayton completed the job in 23.06. Invicta’s time was 64.22, while Redhill Road Runners clocked 58.52 to take the gold and City of Bath AC 59.51 to claim silver.

“It was a bit of a surprise, but we were delighted with the bronze medals,” said Batty.

Invicta’s over-50 men equalled their best ever finish in the National six-stage road relays at Sutton Park. As well as being the leading Kent club, they were also the second best Southern finishers after coming home eighth in 1hr 44minutes 19seconds. Invicta had occupied the same position in 2000.