Frinton mayor Terry Allen starts the 22nd Frinton and Walton Fun Run. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (77440-g).

Hundreds of runners turned out for Frinton and Walton's popular annual fun run.

More than 700 people took part in the event, which started at Tendring Technology College, on Sunday.

Organisers celebrated glorious weather following a down pour at last years event.

Some youngsters took part in the race dressed as fairies and cowgirls and retained Frinton firefighters Richard Lodge, Norman Gooch, Ben Oehlrich and Adrian Philipsen took part in the two-mile event dressed in their uniforms complete with helmets.

Mike Chaplin, one of the organisers, said: "It was a wonderful day and the weather was superb.

"Obviously it was a bit too warm for some runners, which made the sponge stations busy.

"This was our 21st birthday, being the 22nd time we have held the event, and there couldn't have been a better present than the glorious weather."

Ken Tuson, 71, has taken part in the half-marathon every year since the event started in 1987. This year he came 50th in a time of 1 hour and 51 minutes.

Tendring Technology College student Steven Seward, 18, of Kings Parade, Holland-on-Sea, was the first to cross the line in the two mile event in 13 minutes and 53 seconds.

Bricklayer Michael Fowle, of Elm Tree Avenue, Kirby Cross, won the 5 mile race in 33 minutes 28 seconds and the half-marathon winner was Kevin Harper, of the Witham Misfits, in 1 hour, 23 minutes and 45 seconds.

In total there were 108 runner in the half-marathon, 163 in the five mile event and about 450 in the two mile event.

Frinton mayor and college governor Terry Allen started all three races.

Mr Allen, who's electricity firm Elec2000 sponsored the event, said: "It was a great pleasure to be asked to start the fun run again.

"It is a tremendous event and we get hundreds of youngsters and amateur runners as well as adults an families taking part."

Results:

Half-marathon, Overall mens winner: Kevin Harper (1hr 23mins 45secs), Overall womens winner: Karen Kirner (1hr 35mins 31secs), Team: Witham Misfits

Five mile: Overall mens winner: Michael Fowle (33mins 28secs), Overall womens winner: Nicola Pyle (34mins 26secs), Team: Miranda's 5-mile team

Two mile: Overall: Steven Seward (13mins 53secs), Primary School Team: Hamford Primary School

For more see Thursday's Gazette

4:14pm Sunday 11th May 2008

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