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.

“This is a major community event which has been running more than 20 years. We really are grateful to all the parents and volunteers who give their time to help keep it going.”

Cash raised at the event will go towards the fund to build a new community sports complex at Tendring Technology College’s Thorpe site.

Mr Chaplin praised two year 13 students, Gemma Stevens and Craig Lawrie, who were collecting cash for the sports hall by running dressed as farmers.

The pair were at hand to help one runner who collapsed to cross the line, before taking him to be treated by St John Ambulance volunteers.