A record 4,500 athletes competed in the 10th annual Asics Kingston Breakfast Run on Sunday, with many using it as preparation for the London Marathon on April 22, writes Waveney Thompson The annual event, which features 8.2 and 16.2-mile courses, sees runners start from Kingston's historic market place and head over Kingston Bridge, along the Thames towpath past Hampton Court Palace before returning to the town centre.

Participants in the shorter race included Beverley Turner, cheered on by her Olympic champion rower husband James Cracknell, who took part in last year's event.

Turner completed the course in one hour 28 minutes, 40 minutes behind the winner of the women's event, Naomi Warner of Thames Hare & Hounds.

The Australian led from start to finish and was seventh overall.

"Having won the Asics Running Festival in October, I felt confident no one would be able to stick with me."

He was right, with the minor place-getters almost two minutes further back.

Ben Whitworth was second (46:30), just two seconds ahead of Mark Reed.

In the 16.2-mile race, Stragglers' Graham Brook led at the halfway point and went on to claim the men's title (1:00.07).

Eoin O'Connell and Nicholas Horton, who had pushed him throughout, filled the minor placings.

Brook said: "This was my first race in Kingston and it lived up to expectations.

"It was great to compete in such a high-profile local race."

The win capped an impressive London Marathon warm-up for Brook, who was also third in the Silverston Half-marathon.

Heidi Wilson made a brave bid for the women's title, leading the pack by a good half mile for the first 10 miles.

But Laura Lowley bided her time before chasing her down to take victory in a time of 1:40.51.

Wilson clung on for second place (1:42:38), a minute ahead of Alison Hopkins in third.

Fourth-placed Angela Hibbs is one to watch. The 24-year-old only took up running for last year's Breakfast Run and went on to complete the London Marathon in an impressive 3:10, which earned her inclusion in the elite field for this year's event.

* For all the results visit humanrace.co.uk.

Clubmate Tom Kingsnorth claimed the men's crown in a time of 44:52.

He took full advantage of the absence of defending champion and course record holder Phil Wicks, who was competing at the SEAA Road Relays.

"It was a fantastic race in good conditions," he said.

"I went off hard until Hampton Court Palace.