ATHLETES from across the county are putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the spring marathons with a series of races around Kent.

At the Ashford 10k Swanley AC's Chris Barber, recently crowned most improved runner in the Kent Fitness League, was first home for the club with an excellent 40mins 27secs, knocking two minutes off his personal best in the process.

Pat Halstead, in training for the British Masters Cross-Country Championships, was next home in 43mins 59secs with Glyn Turner not far behind in 44mins 40secs.

Rob Halstead in 47mins 27secs, Stuart Wood in 50mins 56secs and Lorraine Barry 58mins 31secs completed the finishers.

At the Tonbridge Wells half-marathon, held in bitterly cold conditions, Mick Boddy had an excellent race finishing in 1hr 34mins 53secs followed by Dave Lamkin in 1hr 41mins 46secs.

Stuart Wood, still struggling with a foot injury stopped the clock with 1hr 54mins 2secs with Margaret Morgan keeping close order in 1hr 54mins 39secs.

Geraldine Gunn continued her return to form with 2hrs 11mins 7secs while Della Jeffery again got the better of Jayne Deal finishing just one second ahead with 2hrs 14mins 57secs.

Twenty miles is considered the half-way point when running a marathon and two Swanley club members tackled the Thanet 20 at the weekend with Simon Robertson in 2hrs 34mins 37secs getting the better of Chris Barber who finished in 2hrs 35mins 48secs.

Run on a new, traffic-free course from Richborourgh to the north side of Broadstairs and back, the race also attracted athletes from Istead and Ifield Harriers.

Out of 402 runners John Gilles was 123rd in 2hrs 36mins 59secs, Bob Carter took 298th in 3hrs 10mins 48secs and Annette Thomas finished 300th in 3hrs 11mins 5secs.

Dartford Harriers enjoyed medal success at the season's last cross-country meeting at Tunbridge Wells.

In the under-15 girls Ellie Dunton won silver, Hayley Hickmott won bronze in the under-17 category and Elaine Murty took the gold in the under-20s.

The AAA National Indoor Championship took place on March 4 and March 5 at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.

Megan Edwards, fresh from under-17 triple-jump silver in the Southern Indoor Championship, did well to leap out to 11.16m for fourth place.

Her leap was just outside the club's under-17 record.