A FIELD of 541 runners completed the 34th running of the Dartford half marathon on Sunday.

The race got underway at 9am in Central Park before heading into the country lanes of the Darent Valley.

Fast starters Dan Pyne (Dartford Harriers) and Abdi Madar (Thanet Roadrunners) were soon joined by Dean Lacy of Cambridge Harriers once the race left the park.

After about the five-mile mark, Lacy managed to pull clear and at the finish was more than two minutes ahead of Madar, in a winning time of 72m23s.

Alan Thompson (Kent Police AC) moved up to take third place.

In the ladies event, June Allen of Springfield Striders AC was thrilled to win in her first race back after a two year absence due to injury, in a time of 1hr29m00s.

Second lady home was Heather Fitzmaurice (Sevenoaks AC), followed by Sarah Maguire of Canterbury Harriers.

Team prizes went to Orpington Roadrunners (men) and Kent AC (ladies).

A special mention should go to the largest non-club team, the Bridie Bears Team, who managed to field 22 runners.

They are running in memory of Bridie Stuchbury who died from Mitochondrial disease in April this year.

The team are raising money and awareness of the disease via the Lily Foundation.

For more information, visit thelilyfoundation.org.uk