VIDEO: Kirk and Macready are top two Chi 10k women

The Southampton University student was delighted with her victory, while a more familiar name on the local athletics scene, Worthing’s Emma Macready, was also pleased to come in second in 34.39.

Kirk told the Observer: “It was my first time in this race. I’m a student at Southampton so it wasn’t too far to come across.

“I really didn’t know (if I stood a chance of winning). I hadn’t raced since October so it was a test of fitness. But I’m really pleased with it – it was a road personal-best for me.”

She found the course challenging, as most do, and said: “The second half was a lot nicer than the first half. I got to 5k and I think it had been gradually uphill and into the wind where as the second half was downhill and the wind was behind you.”

Kirk expects to return next year, adding: “It’s a really nice course and it goes quite quickly.”

Macready said she had done the Chi 10k once, a couple of years ago, and said: “I think I ran around the same time. I’ve just been doing cross-country this season so I haven’t been on the road since October.

“It’s local and it’s always a good event well-organised by the Rotary club. There was a good field too.”

Macready is also gunning for a rematch with Kirk next year but added: “I prefer to beat the boys.”

See reports, more pictures and a full list of finishers and their times in the Observer - out now

See our gallery of pictures from the big race

Watch ALL 1,655 starters set off from College Lane

Here are the first few runners led home by Toby Lambert

Here are many more finishers crossing the line

And here’s Lambert giving us his verdict on his win