Mike Coleman on his way to victory in Sunday's Folkestone Half Marathon

Mike Coleman of Medway and Maidstone AC strode to victory from a field of 600 athletes in the fourth Folkestone Rotary half marathon on Sunday.

Coleman, who also won the race in 2007, finished a mile ahead of Damien Vadgama (1.15.29) of Invicta East Kent on The Leas. His time of 1 hour 10 minutes 9 seconds was a minute quicker than his previous course record.

This year’s race carried Kent championships status for the first time but Coleman was not eligible as he had entered on the day, so the gold medal passed to the runner-up, Vadgama.

Mark Wilkins (1.15.44) of Invicta East Kent and Simon Hesketh (1.16.33) of Larkfield AC completed the winner’s podium.

The male age group champions were M40 Hesketh, M50 Ray Pearce (1.20.36) of Istead and Ifield and M60 Trevor Edgley (1.28.20) of Invicta.

Invicta East Kent won the men’s team from Larkfield AC and Deal Triathletes.

Rosalind Kieran (1.21.10) of Herne Hill Harriers won the women’s race and the Kent gold from former winner, Rona Loubser (1.22.18) of Folkestone Runners, and Tina Oldershaw (1.23.44) of Paddock Wood.

Masters gold medals went to W35 Oldershaw, W45 Sharon Hawkins (1.25.53) of Invicta EK and W55 Alison Jelly (1.52.56) of Folkestone RC.

Larkfield AC won the team gold medals ahead of home favourites Folkestone RC and Paddock Wood AC.