DAVID LAW led Maidstone Harriers to a crushing team victory at the 11th annual Ditton Turkey Run (Alan Newman writes).

Law, who was close to Mark Norman's 2002 course record in favourable conditions, finished well clear of 18-year-old Ditton resident Tom Collins, of Medway and Maidstone AC.

The winner’s time was one second faster than he recorded when chasing the record holder home last year.

Collins never gave up the chase and was comfortable in second place ahead of the ever present Michael Poppy (Sittingbourne Striders) and former winner Daniel Green (Ashford and District AC).

David Thornby of the host club, Maidstone Harriers, was the first master athlete in an excellent fifth overall, competing in the over 50 class.

Stephen Throssell, who lives a two minute jog from the start at Ditton Community Centre, showed improved form to finish sixth representing St Peters Church.

Sharon Hawkins (Maidstone Harriers) was equally dominant in the women's race with a 30 second margin of victory over Vicky McGregor of Paddock Wood AC.

These two athletes also contributed towards the success of their respective teams in the mixed team competition.

A little further back was Nicola Susans of Larkfield AC whose festive Santa Claus outfit won the fancy dress prize from the judges. Her performance was also significant in athletic terms because she was able to secure second place for Larkfield AC ahead of the highly experienced Paddock Wood team.

Results men: 1 David Law (Maidstone Harriers) 37.04; 2 Tom Collins (Medway & Maidstone) 37.46, 3 Michael Poppy (Sittingbourne Striders) 38.01, 4 Daniel Green (Ashford & District) 38.53, 5 David Thornby (Maidstone Harriers M50) 38.59, 6 Stephen Throssell (St Peters Church) 39.07, 7 Ian Bramwell (Ashford Road Runners M40) 39.36, 8 Pat Butler (Ashford & District M50) 40.10, 9 Trevor Walker (St Peters Church M40) 40.20, 10 Andy Fletcher (Paddock Wood M40) 40.25, 11 Tom Pope (Unattached) 40.36, 12 Matt Chambers (Nutfield Priory M40) 40.38, 13 Andy Sando (Unattached M40) 40.42, 14 Adrian Moll (Dragons) 41.10, 15 Mark Slingsby (Burgess Hill Runners) 41.12, 16 Gary Sage (Ashford & District) 41.17, 17 Barry Ley (Barming Nomads) 41.19, 18 David Clayton (Maidstone Harriers) 41.27, 19 Ed Mundy (Larkfield AC) 41.31, 20 Neil Miners (Larkfield AC) 41.46.

Women: 1 Sharon Hawkins (Maidstone Harriers W35) 44.21, 2 Vicky McGregor (Paddock Wood) 44.51, 3 Mo Ovenden (Deal Triathletes) 46.00, 4 Almas Frost (Unattached W45) 46.09, 5 Justine Tuck (Dragons) 48.16, 6 Helen Jukes (Nutfield Prior W35) 48.25, 7 Jenny Poulter (Barming Nomads W45) 48.56, 8 Nicola Susans (Larkfield AC) 49.12, 9 Pat Halstead (Swanley & District W45) 49.35, 10 Carol Emery (Paddock Wood W35) 50.48.

Teams: 1 Maidstone Harriers 80 points, 2 Larkfield AC 170 points, 3 Paddock Wood AC 201 points.