THE Kent County Cross-Country Championships for master athletes attracted two hundred men over 40 and women over 35 years to the muddy slopes of Sparrows Den, West Wickham on Saturday, with new champions in all five age group categories, writes Alan Newman.

Barry Royden of Medway and Maidstone AC lost no time in hitting the front in the M40 race and his eventual winning margin over the 2006 champion, Graeme Saker (Tonbridge), was a comfortable 29 seconds.

The new M50 champion is Paddock Wood’s Malcolm Martin who used sit and pounce tactics to perfection to out kick 2006 runner-up Tim Souter (Blackheath and Bromley) in the finishing straight to win by 10 seconds.

The M60 title went to Chris Marshall of Bromley Vets after a race long battle with Michael Conway (Invicta) who repeated his 2006 silver medal performance.

The women’s race was a classic clash between England W35 internationals Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood) and Clare Elms (Dulwich Runners). Oldershaw won this title last year with Elms third but on this occasion it was the Dulwich Runner who produced the fireworks in the finishing straight to win by 10 seconds.

The W45 title went to Diane Bradley of Tonbridge AC from club colleague Philippa Blackstone and Angela Cook of the winning club, Blackheath and Bromley.

Full round-up and results in this week's Kent Messenger