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INVICTA EAST KENT AC RUNNER SEES OFF MORE THAN 1,400 STARTERS TO

For the second year in succession, record numbers of runners took part in the Parker Tools Canterbury 10-mile road race on Sunday morning – won for the third time in a row by Invicta East Kent AC’S Abel Tsegay.

There were over 1,400 entrants and 1,300 finishers in the annual race, which had a new base at Christ Church Sports Centre.

It was an icy and misty morning but it did not deter the runners, or the spectators, who lined the route through the villages of Bridge, Patrixbourne, and Bekesbourne.

Tsegay crossed the finishing line in a solid 52min 46sec – 70 seconds slower than his winning time 12 months ago and 43 seconds behind his 2015 mark.

Last year’s Kent cross-country champion was followed home in second by Dominic O’mahoney, also of Invicta East Kent, in a fast over-40s time of 54.08.

In third place was three-times previous winner Mike Coleman, of South Kent Harriers, who stopped the clock in 54.47, well inside his winning time from his last Canterbury 10 in 2013.

The first finisher in a competitive ladies’ event was Maria Heslop, of Paddock Wood AC, who registered a superb time of 1:00.37 which was one of the 20 fastest runs of all time by a British V45 lady and earned her a fourth victory in the event in the past five years.

Heslop was followed home in second by Hazel Behagg, of Dartford Road Runners, with a strong run to complete the course in 1:02.15, while in third place was Claire Day, also of Paddock Wood AC, with a big personal best time of 1:02.40. IEK’S Vicky Talbot-rosner was the fastest V55 lady home in 1:15.33. Other age group winners: Men’s V40 David Smithers (York, Knavesmire) 57:28; Men’s V50 David Groom (Petts Wood Runners) 1: 03.43; Men’s V60 Jame s Graham ( Sevenoaks AC) 1:06.27; Men’s V70 David Winch (Thanet Roadrunners) 1:09.41. Ladies’ V35 Teresa Murphy (Kent AC) 1:03.56; Ladies’ V45

Dave Bowden, of Canterbury Harriers (No.1047) heads this group of runners in the early stages of Sunday’s race

FM4652401 Fm4652372,main FM4652377, right Graham Doy, of Faversham Running club, was well wrapped up against the elements. He came home in 1:44.36 while his team-mate Ray Johnson, a Vet 70 right, clocked 2:21.13