Adam Stokes set a new men’s event record of 2hr42min12sec for the Kent Roadrunner Marathon at the Cyclopark, Gravesend on Saturday, writes Alan Newman.

The 29-year-old Canterbury Harrier achieved his personal best by running over two minutes faster than he did in London six weeks earlier to defeat more than 350 finishers.

Steven Nimmo (M40 Orpington, 2:49.28) was the first master and Christian Poulton (M40 Cambridge Harriers, 2:57.28) was seventh. Chris Rampling (Maidstone Harriers, 3:13.57) also made the top 20.

Sally Ford (UKnetrunners, 3:17.39) was eight minutes clear in the women’s category.

Maidstone Harriers’ Catherine Roberts (W40, 3:51.12) and Amanda Rogers (4:06.12) were among the few Kent women athletes who tackled the 17 2.5k laps necessary for the classic marathon distance.