The big field starts at Chaucer Technical College

Almost 900 runners competed in the biggest ever Canterbury 10-mile road race on Sunday.

Andrew Rayner from Blackheath & Bromley was the first runner to complete the course, which took the field around the lanes of Bridge, Patrixbourne and Bekesbourne.

The winning time of 53 minutes 31 seconds was quicker than 12 months ago, with Robert Latala 78 seconds adrift. Alex Riches, who like Latala is not attached to a club, came in third.

The first man home for host club Invicta East Kent Athletics Club, was Tom Purnell in a new personal best of 59 minutes.

Gavin Kitchingham (Orpington Road Runners) won the veterans’ race for over-40s, finishing ninth overall in 58 minutes 36, while Folkestone’s Rona Louber was the leading woman, clocking a time of 59 minutes 16 seconds in 12th place. Tina Oldershaw and Alice Heather-Hayes completed the top three.

The team win went to Ashford & District Road Running Club.

For a gallery of photographs from the event, click on the link in the top right corner.