RYAN PROUT, of Thrift Green Trotters, set a new male course record of 33min 09sec at the 2003 Whitstable 10k on Monday, despite a brisk westerly breeze which made the second half of the race difficult.

Prout was still four seconds outside the overall course record set by Charlotte Dale last year, however. Neil Renault , of Medway and Maidstone AC, was second, some 20 seconds behind at 33:29, with Tatsuo Yoshiwara of Invicta East Kent third in 34:04.

in the women's race, Jill Cliff of Deal Tri triumphed in a time of 40:14, ahead of the Invicta East Kent Vet-45 duo of Janice Moorekite (40:48) and Liz Batty (41:24).

In the team events, Thrift Green Trotters' strong turnout, led by Prout, helped ensure that they won the male club prize, with the other team members being John Parker (sixth in 35:22) and Matthew Bland (seventh in 35:25). The performances of Moorkite and Batty, supported by 15th-placed Lisa Clayton (45:56) helped secure the female team prize for Invicta East Kent.

The race attraced 500 entries, with more than a hundred others having to be disappointed.

The race, which was organised for the fourth year by Canterbury Harriers, also had the 1960 Olympic gold medallist in the 50Km walk, Donald Thompson, the oldest competitor in the field at 70, who just failed to break the hour.

Full results are online at www.whitstable10k.org.uk