The early start did not deter 623 finishers from completing the Darent Valley 10k, with more than 40 runners going under 40 minutes on this undulating course, writes Alan Newman.

Terry Reeves (Dartford Road Runners) was first man home in 35min33sec, four seconds clear of under-20 junior, David Obee (Dartford Harriers, 35.37).

Daniel Watt (Tonbridge, 35.58) was third and the top six was completed by Sam Proctor (Dartford RR, 36.04), Dominic O’Mahoney (M40 Invicta East Kent, 36.08) and Nigel Ling (Dartford RR, 36.10).

Alexander Lindfield (Medway and Maidstone, 38.22) was first under-17 junior and the masters awards went to M50 Tony Tuohy (Dulwich Runners, 36.19) and M60 James Graham (Sevenoaks, 41.03).

It was 2001 when Andrea Green ran her best 10k time of 34.03 and it is 10 years since the former Dartford Harrier last won this race but the 46-year-old returned to the top step of the rostrum with 39.24, representing So Let's Go Running.

Green was joined at the presentations by Sarah Gruber (W40 Invicta, 39.46) and Nicola Susans (W35 Larkfield, 40.59).

Penny Ellison (W35 Maidstone Harriers, 43.51) was fifth and Sharon Barnet (W40 Maidstone Harriers, 45.19) 11th in a women’s field dominated by master athletes.

Pauline Dalton (W50 Sevenoaks, 45.25) and Julie Stoppani (W50 Maidstone Harriers, 45.54) were among the higher age-group leading finishers.