The third of seven races in the Kent Fitness Cross-Country League drew 452 runners to the sweeping hills and muddy paths of Oxleas Woods, Eltham on Sunday, writes Alan Newman.

League champion Chris Wyles (New Eltham) held off team-mate James Gordon to win the five-mile race by 41 seconds in 31min25sec. Mike Fanning (M45, Sevenoaks) was first master ahead of James Ridger (Paddock Wood).

Peter Tucker (Dartford Harriers) was a non-scoring guest in fifth but his club took the team race with Chris Biddle sixth and Craig Sharp ninth.

The top 10 was completed by Adam Stokes (Canterbury Harriers, seventh), Kris Noble (Sittingbourne Striders, eighth) and Steve Throssell (M40 Larkfield, 10th).

Clare Reeves (Dartford Harriers) took her second league victory to increase her overall lead and aid her club’s ambitions for the team title this season. Reeves was more than a minute ahead of first W35 master, Hazel Behagg (Dartford Road Runners).

Dartford Harriers won on the day from hosts New Eltham and Sevenoaks and are edging clear in the league table from Sevenoaks and Canterbury Harriers.

The next KFL race is at Avery Hill Park, New Eltham on December 29.