A far better day for running than last year greeted the 75 athletes who turned up for the first-ever End of Year 13.8k Run from Staplehurst .The course was well-received as it included three climbs , each one just a little shorter than the one before and after the last water station at 10k it was all downhill and flat to the finish . The early lead pack of 5 runners at 5k were gradually whittled down during the climbs until just Sam Humphrey and Mark Wilkins were locked together till the 10k mark when Sam kicked in and began to draw away , opening up a lead of 63 secs by the finish , Tom Heslop coming in for 3rd another 28 secs behind . For the ladies Tonbridge Ac ‘s Lucy Reid ran so strongly she actually took 9th place overall coming in 69secs clear of Larkfields Sarah Ann Moooney who was in turn over a minute clear of Jennifer Antkowiak . Further down the field runners were keeping a sharp eye out for the red prize vouchers which were placed at various points around the course , each one worth £20 in “Runners Retreat” , 5 out of the 6 were found ! Back at race HQ everyone enjoyed FREE tea , coffee and snacks at the kitchen with just a donation to the British Heart Foundation pot which raised a total of £53.75 .The race will return next year with exactly the same format on the last Sunday of 2012 , the 30th , advance entries will be available .