MEMBERS of Larkfield Athletics Club emerged as a force to be reckoned with at the annual 10k run from Larkfield Leisure Centre on Sunday (Alan Newman writes).

The Larks did not claim team or individual victories but placed two men and two women in the top five with Craig Sabin the first master over 40 in an excellent third overall.

Kent 10k champion, Mark Linbourne, from Chatham, took an early lead in New Hythe Lane and was never under pressure as he enjoyed a 92 second margin of victory over Lee McMeekin of Medway and Maidstone AC.

Sabin held on for third as M40 master, Greg Stevens of Sevenoaks, finished strongly for fourth place.

Ashley Sabin (Larkfield AC), the 18-year-old son of the third placed athlete, pushed David Law of Maidstone Harriers into sixth place.

Nicki Barron (Deal Triathletes) won the women's race by 33 seconds from Kim Howes of Larkfield AC.

Results, Men: 1 Mark Linbourne (Unattached) 33.12, 2 Lee McMeekin (Medway & Maidstone) 34.44, 3 Craig Sabin (Larkfield M40) 35.14, 4 Greg Stevens (Sevenoaks M40) 35.27, 5 Ashley Sabin (Larfield) 36.23, 6 David Law (Maidstone H) 36.51, 7 Daniel Pyne (Dartford H) 37.09, 8 Ciaran Grimes (Medway & Maidstone) 37.23, 9 Trevor Heath (Deal Tri M50) 37.36, 10 Clive Godding (Unattached M40) 37.52.

11 Thomas Pope (Unattached) 37.57, 12 Derek George (Istead & Ifield) 38.12, 13 Martin Whittington (Dartford RR M40) 38.16, 14 Andrew Carter (Unattached) 38.31, 15 David Harding (Unattached) 38.44, 16 Stuart Scott (Beckenham) 38.57, 17 Craig Williamson (Beckenham) 39.11, 18 Bob Fursey (Medway & Maidstone M40) 39.17, 19 Glen Telles (South Kent M40) 39.27, 20 Adrian Moody (Medway & Maidstone M40) 39.46.

Over 60: Eddie Broad (Invicta) 41.30.

Teams: 1 Medway & Maidstone AC 48 points, 2 Larkfield AC 79, 3 Beckenham Running Club 82, 4 Maidstone Harriers 154, 5 Larkfield Leisure Centre 202.

Women: 1 Nicki Barron (Deal Tri W35) 40.39, 2 Kim Howes (Larkfield W35) 41.12, 3 Christine Johnson (Deal Tri) 42.20, 4 Amanda Hester (Brighton & Hove W35) 44.23, 4 Nicola Susans (Larkfield) 45.46, 6 Elizabeth Berns (Gravesend RR) 46.12, 7 Zelda Meyburgh (Unattached) 46.21, 8 Melanie Burdett (Beckenham) 46.50, 9 Emma Tiptaft (Unattached) 47.06, 10 Julie Stoppani (Maidstone H W35) 47.25.

11: Audrey Dyett (Dartford RR W50) 48.26, 12 Gail Arnott (Beckenham W35) 48.32, 13 Penny Reid (Unattached W35) 48.34, 15 Clare Cornish (Larkfield W35) 49.25, 15 Clare Lodwig (Blackheath H) 49.30, 16 Annie Ross (Invicta W50) 49.58, 17 Trish Kerry (Unattached W35) 40.11, 18 Kay Risby (Maidstone H W35) 50.22, 19 Helen Palmer (Larkfield Leisure W35) 50.32, 20 Clare Green (Unattached) 50.56. Over 60: Maureen Guard (Dartford Harriers) 55.31.

Teams: 1 Larkfield Leisure Centre 117 points, 2 Dartford Harriers 128, 3 ISO Spa 175.