A SURPRISE appearance in the crowd by her son helped contribute to a memorable weekend for Kent athlete Denise Farnham as she collected two gold medals at the British Masters Indoor Athletic Championships.

Farnham, from Sturry, near Canterbury, triumphed over 1500m and 3,000m in the women’s 45 to 50 years category at Cardiff, and was delighted that son David, was there to see her success.

It was the third year running Farnham has lifted both titles and she said: "David lives in Cardiff but I had no idea he was going to be there. It was only when I was running I heard a voice saying ‘Pick it up mum,’ and realised ‘That’s my son’.’’

Farnham, 49, led from start to finish in the 1500m and her final time of 5minutes 2seconds was three seconds quicker than the previous year.

The Medway and Maidstone athlete knocked eight seconds off her 2004 winning time in the 3,000m, clocking 10.30 to finish half-a-minute in front of her nearest rival.

Farnham, who works at the King’s Recreation Centre, Canterbury, added: "I didn’t expect to get any golds because I’m in my last year before moving up to the next age group and I knew it would be tough.

"My aim was to get good times. I just ran my own race and tried not to worry about anyone else."