MEDWAY and Maidstone AC ace Mike Coleman was first home in the 6km Hythe Rotary Round the Houses run. Coleman won for the fifth time in six years and his fourth in a row.

Despite the warm conditions Coleman made a determined bid to attack the field and led throughout, lapping many of the field over the four and half lap race through the picturesque town streets.

He just missed out on his personal best time by a single second clocking 17:47. While a commanding winner, it showed just how extraordinary Mike Gratton’s 1995 course record of 17:27 was.

Second was another M&M runner Neil Renault with the Deal man a comfortable runner-up in 18:27 from local rising star Andrew Welch of Ashford AC.

The 18-year-old Welch, who comes from Folkestone, ran 19:25 to hold off Andrew McNeill (19:36) who had earlier also been one of the McNeill family group who were runners-up in the fun relay races.

Fifth was Gavin Finch (London Irish) with 20:25 from Deal Tri’s David Weekes in 20:59 and seventh went to Folkestone Running Club’s Sam Rigby with 20:59.

Ashford fitness trainer Briony Segal is showing she practices what she preaches and added another success on the roads. Segal, 24, claimed, claimed the ladies’ race crown, finishing 10th overall.

The freelance personal trainer has just joined the Ashford and District Roadrunners in Sandyhurst Lane and is aiming to continue bringing down her times.

On Sunday she clocked 22:36 to be a comfortable winner from Ashford AC’s Lauren Fawke. The Folkestone athlete was second with 24:34.

Third was local runner Julie Kenyon-Vaughan from Hythe with a fine 25:35 and another Hythe runner shone in the veterans with Carol Giles taking the honours with 27:26.

Leading veteran trophy went to the Hythe club’s Keith Walters of South Kent Harriers with 22:17.

It was a real fun day for the whole family with nine races in all for all ages. The trophies were presented by Lindsey McCrow, daughter of the late Roger McCrow who started the races 14 years ago.