Runner Anthony Jackson won the Deal Half-Marathon by almost six minutes – and he wasn’t even due to enter.

Sittingbourne Striders man Jackson only took part as his scheduled race, at Wokingham, was cancelled.

He led from start to finish to win Sunday’s event in 1hr13min07sec, just one second short of a six-minute cushion over runner-up Mark Wilkins.

Jackson felt it was a difficult race despite the margin of victory and said: “It was tough because it was windy and it’s a hilly course as well.

“My plan was to run the Wokingham Half-Marathon and go for a quick time on a flatter course but when it was called off, I found Deal instead.

“It’s good for confidence to win by a big margin but I’d rather the race was closer.”

Jackson, 27, is training for the London Marathon in April and wants to set a personal best.

He added: “My big target is London and I’m aiming to go under 2:25. I’ve run it eight times with a best of 2:30 and I’ve done 2:29 at a different marathon."