Tipton's Julius Kimtai defied miserable wet conditions to storm to victory in the second Bradford 10k yesterday.

He followed up his victory at Cardiff seven days earlier by crossing the finishing line at the Richard Dunn Sports Centre in 29min 06sec.

It was an impressive time and clinched the AAA's of England men's title for him. His performance also helped Tipton to take the AAA's team prize.

The 25-year-old took charge of the race after four kilometres. He emerged from the leading group to open a lead of 40 metres as he completed the fifth kilometre in 2min 19sec - considerably faster than the pace up that point.

From then he never looked back, and it was only on the final lap around the Richard Dunn Sports Centre that he even remotely looked like being caught.

Chester-le-Street's Michael Openshaw finished strongly to take second place in 29-13 and had the consolation of gaining the Inter-Counties men's title.

Matthew Vaux-Harvey of Stourport was third a further 18 seconds back, with two more Tipton athletes Nick Jones and Matt Smith coming in ahead of the vastly experienced Paul Evans of Belgrave Harriers.

Afterwards Kimtai admitted that he had enjoyed his race, although he had experienced some difficulty on the muddy finishing stretch.

He said: "It was an extremely good course and I felt I ran well until near the finish when I found it difficult to get any speed on the slippery surface.

"I was pleased with my performance and the win. Once I got in front I was able to stay there without any trouble."

The experienced Colin Moore was the best placed runner from host club Bingley Harriers - 33rd in 30-38 - and his performance helped Yorkshire to third place in the Inter-Counties men's team race.

Clubmate Andrew Pearson was also part of the Yorkshire side and came in 39th - one place but 11 seconds ahead of Otley runner Ian Fisher.

Steve Green (55th) combined with Moore and Pearson to give Bingley first place in the Yorkshire men's team event ahead of their second team of Andy Peace, John Convery and Stewart MacDonald.

The women's race was won impressively by 34-year-old Kenyan Esther Kiplagat in 33-01. She finished nine seconds ahead of Bedford's Liz Yelling, who claimed both the AAA's and Inter-Counties titles as Kiplagat wasn't eligible.

Sarah Wilkinson of Salford Harriers did well to finish third ahead of last year's women's winner Birhamn Dagne of Essex Ladies.

Meryl Dodd was Bingley Harriers' best-placed athlete in 18th place with a time of 36-05, while Lisa Mawer (29th) also produced a good run.

The veterans' race was a triumph for Redhill's Andrew Wetherill. He came home 25 seconds ahead of Paul Muller (Wrekin) in a time of 31-44. Bingley's Steve Robinson clocked 32-21 to take fourth spot.

Bingley captain Sue Cariss was fourth in the veterans' race, and that gave her second position in the over-50 category in a time of 38-52.

A total of 462 athletes completed the main race and 254 crossed the finishing line in the veterans' event.

Team results - AAA's: 1 Tipton 22, 2 Morpeth 123, 3 Tipton B 128. Women: 1 Shaftesbury, 2 Salford, 3 Arena 80. Inter- Counties, Men: 1 North East 45, 2 Greater Manchester 77, 3 Yorkshire 79. Women: 1 Greater Manchester 26, 2 Scottish West 60, 3 Yorkshire 81. Yorkshire, men: 1 Bingley Harriers 14, 2 Bingley B 39, 3 Otley 52. Women: 1 Wakefield Harriers 16.