ADRIAN Lowther proved to be in a class of his own on Sunday, producing a storming victory by nearly five minutes in the Thanet 10 mile road race.

Leading from the gun, Medway and Maidstone AC's sub 2.40 marathon runner set a blistering pace at the head of a 400-strong field taking full advantage of the favourable conditions on the outward route which followed the seafront promenade through Margate and Cliftonville.

On turning back at the halfway point, runners were battered and blown by a gale with driving rain, but Lowther's time of 55min 33sec was highly impressive for the conditions, particularly as no other runner managed to break the hour barrier.

Mike Baron, Swanley's over 40 veteran took second place in 60.21 with Mark Penny of Cambridge Harriers – the winner of the Kent Police Championship a further 18 seconds behind. Paddock Wood's Rob Rowland finished fourth in 61.39.