PAUL HASLER, of the host club, was the defending champion for the 18th Paddock Wood half-marathon but the local favourite was up against a Sussex athlete at the top of his form.

In recent weeks, James Baker of Chichester Runners, has won half-marathon races at Eastbourne and Brighton, the latter in a lifetime best of 68 minutes 33 seconds.

Baker started the race at a tremendous pace and at one stage Barry Royden’s course record was under real threat for the first time since 1998.

Hasler matched the leader for three miles at 5:10 pace before being forced to give way to his opponent from Sussex just before the water station at Pearson’s Green.

The windy conditions soon put paid to any records but Baker flew round the Kent countryside through Gain Hill, Laddingford and Queen Street to break the tape in 69 minutes 33 seconds. Hasler held his form to finish a clear second ahead of Dominic Elsby of Victoria Park Harriers to lead Paddock Wood AC to team success over Dulwich Runners and Dartford Road Runners.

The women’s race also produced a quality winner in Catherine Wilding, of Serpentine Running Club, who set a personal best of 80 minutes 20 seconds, some 38 seconds faster than her winning time in the Amsterdam half-marathon last year.

The W35 master finished over three minutes clear of Claire Gibson, of Cambridge Harriers, with 1998 champion Tina Oldershaw third for the winning team from Paddock Wood.

There were more than 2,000 entries in the main race, and accompanying Joe Cartwright fun run, helping to raise funds for the chosen charity, Cystic Fibrosis Trust.