By Alan Newman

Larkfield AC made the perfect start to the defence of their team title as the the Kent Fitness Cross-Country League got under way at Knole Park in Sevenoaks on Sunday.

The league, which excludes elite athletes, features seven races over the winter, with 18 clubs and up to 400 runners competing in each event.

First past the winning post on Sunday morning was Jamie Bryant, a 17-year-old from Tonbridge AC who has already tasted national success in English Schools and English National cross country championships this year.

With Tonbridge AC not registered for this league, the official victor was Gareth Robb of Paddock Wood (pictured), who finished 34 seconds in arrears after a fine tussle with the first M40 master, Noel Sutton of Thanet Road Runners. Eighteen-year-old Alex Newson, representing Invicta East Kent, was third scorer ahead of James Ridger (Paddock Wood).

With Ashley Howes of Larkfield AC and David Lee of hosts, Sevenoaks AC completing the top six it was obvious the battle between Larkfield and Paddock Wood, who have exchanged the overall team trophy between them for the past four winters, would be continued this season.

Holders Larkfield made an excellent start, holding off a strong challenge from 2010 champions, Paddock Wood AC, with Istead & Ifield Harriers finishing third. Larkfield placed five runners in the top 20 to take the match despite Paddock Wood’s great start and the return to form of the top M50 master, Malcolm Martin (30th).

The ladies’ race was also headed by a guest runner – the 2010 champion Tina Oldershaw of Paddock Wood who fully justified her elite athlete status.

Nicola Groom of Larkfield was 89 seconds behind the race winner to take the league race from W35 Claire Gaskill of Gravesend Road Runners and Penny Holden of Maidstone Harriers. Paddock Wood won the women’s team race with Laura Burton (4th), Clare Day (10th) and W40 Fiona Buckingham (14th).