Medway and Maidstone's Tom Collins claimed an impressive victory at the Maidstone Half-Marathon on Sunday.

Collins was defending champion and previously won this race in 2008 and 2009. The wind and rain this year slowed his time to 1hr13min42sec, but he was well clear of M&M team-mate Mark Wilkins (1:16.18) and Kris Noble (Sittingbourne Striders, 1:18.00).

There were less than 400 finishers with only 12 men inside an hour and a half to demonstrate both
the severity of the course and the weather conditions.

Local club members placed highly were Ian Forrest (M40 Maidstone Harriers, 1:26.20); Neil Hacon (M45 Sittingbourne, 1:29.49); Rick Hudson (Swale, 1:30.28); Michael King (Tunbridge Wells, 1:30.32); Graham Harraway (Sittingbourne, 1:30.54) and M55 master Steve Austin (Tunbridge Wells, 1:31.45).

Nicola Susans (Larkfield, 1:33.38) took gold in the women’s race from W45 Kim Howes (Larkfield, 1:35.21) and W35 Elise Rendall (Paddock Wood, 1:38.47). Cath Roberts (1:45.58) of the host club Maidstone Harriers was in 10th position.

Sittingbourne Striders were the leading men’s team and Larkfield took the award in the women standings.