Ethiopian runner Yared Hagos with Dame Kelly Holmes after running a new course record

The Lifestyle Renault Tunbridge Wells half-marathon race director had to dig out the cheque book to meet the cost of not one but two £1,000 course record bonuses on Sunday morning.

The previous record of 1hr 5min 33sec, held by Barry Royden (Medway and Maidstone AC), had stood for 13 years until an Ethiopian athlete, Yared Hagos (Bradford Airedale) crossed the finish line in 1hr 4min 15sec. Hagos finished eighth in the BUPA Great North Run half marathon last year in 1hr 3min 31sec and boasts a cracking 47min 51sec best for 10 miles.

Less than nine minutes later Helen Decker (Ipswich Jaffa), who won this race in 2010 and was second last year, took the women’s record to 1hr 12min 41sec for a highly profitable new personal best. The previous record holder was GB marathon international Liz Yelling with her 2011 victory in 1hr 13min 56sec.

There were some fine performances from local runners among the 2,107 finishers on this scenic, undulating route around Bidborough, Penshurst, Fordcombe, Langton Green and Southborough.