South Kent Harriers’ Margaret Connolly was on England Masters duty at the Birmingham 10k - and it was a winning weekend.

Connolly was part of the team taking on Wales during the Great Birmingham Run and her 52min52sec contributed to England’s victory.

The run was the first of three England Masters events for Connolly over different distances in the same season - half-marathon and marathon being the others.

The feat is believed to be a record, with the second of those challenges later this month at the AJ Bell Greater Manchester Run.

“It was such an honour to be representing England once again,” Connolly, from Blean, said.

“It turned out to be a pretty hot day plus the course was rather undulating with plenty of twists and turns.

“I didn’t manage the time I was hoping for and had to settle for 52.52 - but the crowd support was incredible and I was still really pleased with my performance.”

The race was also an opportunity to boost funds for Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital in memory of Connolly’s cousin, Dr Andrew Kennedy, who died a few months earlier. Overall, £546 was raised.

Dr Kennedy undertook some of his training at the hospital before a career with the Royal Army Medical Corps, where he served in conflicts, including the first Gulf War.