MIKE COLEMAN has established himself as Kent’s premier road runner over the last couple of years and he again showed that class romping to a tremendous victory in the Folkestone 10-mile run on Good Friday.

What was exceptional this time round was that anyone managed to stay with the Dover man, but training partner Christian Nicolson from the Bristol and West Club pushed him all the way in a testing finish back into the conditions to Hythe.

The field were helped in the outward five-miles by the conditions along the sea-front to Folkestone but it was altogether more testing for the return leg back into the wind.

It ensured that the record would never be tested this year but such was the dominancy by the top two they finished nearly five minutes clear of Medway and Maidstone runner Tom Collins in third.

Coleman swept home in an impressive 52:40 from Nicholson, who is based at Canterbury, in 53:06, with Collins in bronze with 57:58.

Collins only just saw off the challenge of another regular Theo Bately of the Deal Tri Club who came in on 58 minutes to also finish the top M40 veteran.

A couple of places further back in sixth was Ashford and District’s ever-consistent veteran Pat Butler who produced another fine run to finish top M50 runner in under the hour with 59:36.

Martyn Rouse marked turning a M60 vet by wearing number 60 and taking the trophy.

The women’s race produced a worthy winner in Gill Wheeler, a fine 22nd overall, with 63:36 on her race debut.

Ashford’s Tri Club are now regularly making their mark and claimed the women’s team title led in by Nicki Barron in second with 66:20 and supported by Jayne Puckridge (8th with 70:44) and Christine Johnson (13th with 73:22).

Third woman home was Thanet RR Alison MacCarthney (68:28) with the perennial Lesley Hall (Ashford AC) showing up the W35 by coming through to claim the veterans awards in fourth with 69:24.

Sue James (Paddock Wood) took the W55 prize with a fine 74:59.