Former Surrey 1,500m champion Gareth Price was an impressive winner of the Valentine’s Day 10km race in Chessington on Sunday.

Victory suggests Price is back on course for his Virgin London Marathon debut in April, despite a cold and virus meaning he had not raced since making his debut marathon in Berlin last September.

As they set off, Sunday’s runners headed into a snow shower, but Cheam-based Kevin Quinn set the pace for a 600-strong field.

Price, who lives in Wimbledon Park, and St Mary's, Twickenham, student Rory Chesser were in close pursuit.

With 2km left, Price stepped up the pace and the 30-year-old reached the finishing line in 30 minutes, 50 seconds.

That gave him a five-second advantage over Quinn and his third success in the event, organised by 26.2 Road Runners, having also won in 2007 and 2007.

Although well outside the course record of 30.17 set by the late Ed Prickett in 2003, Price’s time was the fastest he has achieved in this country.

“I was aiming to get inside 31 minutes, so I am pleased with the time.”

Price has set a target of two hours, 18 minutes for April’s marathon and continues his preparations over 56km in Armagh on Sunday.

His rivals will include Quinn and Chesser, who having finished 10th in the UK indoor 3,000m championship this previous day, faded to finish fourth (31:08).

He was pipped by Clapham Chasers’ James Ellis in third (31:08), with last year’s winner, Nick Hodges of Dorking & Mole Valley, fifth (32:48).

Other leading local runners: 9 Neil Aitken (Clapham Chasers) 34.06, 12 Francis Staunton (Clapham Chasers) first veteran 34.44, 13 Matthew Sharp (Hercules Wimbledon) 35.27, 14 Marc Snaith (Ranelagh 35:28). First over-50: Bernie Mulvany 37.37. First over-60 Steve Sandham (Stragglers) 42.03.

Yvette Grice from Bodyworks XTC Tri Store won the women’s race (35.56), from Sale Manchester’s Jenna Hill (37:03), Belgrave’s Samantha Amend (37:12) and Stragglers’ Faye Wilson (39.41).