Local favourite, Julian Rendall, was first past the post in a wet and windy Tonbridge Half Marathon on Sunday.

Dame Kelly Holmes set nearly 900 starters on their way from the K College and it was exactly 1hour 14 minutes later when the host club’s ultra-distance specialist returned to claim the spoils of victory.

The figure of eight course through the villages of Upper Hayesden, Leigh and Lower Hayesden is popular with competitors and spectators alike and there was good support out on the route despite the rain.

Rendall (pictured) was joined on the prize winners’ podium by unattached athlete Daniel Sims (1.17.23) and Stephen Thackeray (Beckenham, 1.17.37).

Gavin Kitchingham (Orpington, 1.17.37) was the leading M40 master and the higher age group winner was M50 Tim McIntyre (Sutton Runners, 1.26.09) from Paddock Wood’s Andy Fletcher (1.28.00).

Leading locals in the men’s race included M40 masters Jack O’Sullivan (Dartford Road Runners, 1.21.19), Martin Taylor (Larkfield, 1.21.36) and Keith Dowson (Sevenoaks, 1.22.14) as the top fifty finishers all beat 90 minutes.

The outstanding W45 Tina Oldershaw (Paddock Wood, 1.22.49) led the top three women under the 90-minute threshold. She was joined by W35 Cath Stibbs (Kent AC, 1.27.33) and the unattached Helen Kiley (1.29.49).

Local women in prominent positions included W35 Pru Clements (Tunbridge Wells, 1.34.04), W40 Lucy Tomlinson (Maidstone Harriers, 1.35.30), W40 Fiona Buckingham (Paddock Wood, 1.44.26) and W40 Shirley Exall (Paddock Wood, 1.44.38).