David Harmer of Medway and Maidstone AC became the inaugural winner of the Jubilee Riverside Run at Maidstone on Sunday morning.

This race was organised by Caron Holden in aid of Cancer Research UK in memory of her mother, Sandra Briffa, who lost her own fight with the disease in 2010.

Harmer lives in America and he is the head track coach at Colorado Springs University. His credentials include running 400m in 52.9; 800m in 1:52.5 and 1500m in 3:55.4 in the United States.

The race started in Wateringbury after a short train ride from Maidstone West station for the 100 entrants. Harmer was soon going clear of the pack and he finished the 8.6 kilometre Medway towpath course in 30min14sec.

James Stickells (Larkfield AC, 32.45) was a clear second from M55 Alan Newman (Paddock Wood, 35.05); M45 Kevin Ostrehan (Larkfield, 35.20); Dave Marks (unattached, 36.20) and Terry Everest (Tunbridge Wells, 36.28).

Padddock Wood’s Tina Oldershaw (W45, 33.10) was an equally dominant winner of the women’s race from Lowri Richards (36.59, Tonbridge) and W40 Bridget Ostrehan (38.35, Larkfield).

Sue James (W60, 40.24) was fourth for Paddock Wood and the top six finishers were completed by Sarah Webb (43.21, Anchorians Road Runners) and W50 Susan Beecham (43.33, Istead and Ifield Harriers).