TOWN runners took on a 10K run on a blistering Sunday.

The Evesham Town 10K race marked 10 years since it started in Evesham and was in support of the Ourside Youth Association in Bengeworth and organised by Evesham Vale Running Club.

The race was started at 10am by Gus the Asparagus Man and progressed through the town, its parks and along the riverside.

Support was given by the town's residents and some had set up hoses and were handing out water and ice to help keep the runners cool.

The water station at Hampton Ferry, staffed by very smart air cadets and supported by Raphaels café, proved an essential stopping place.

Runners had travelled from all over the country to take part.

A runner of note was Rob Rennel who received the biggest cheer of the day when he entered the meadow having completed the course despite being blind and partially deaf.

Another special runner is Pete Clarke as he has run all eleven races since the event started in 2008. Robert Sampson managed the course in under an hour despite the heat and a 35lb pack on his back.

The race was won by David Bell from Cirencester AC, in 34:40 who also won the race in 2016.

Second was Sergio Martinez Gonzalez from Swindon and third was 17 year old junior Jack Pickett, Wolverhampton and Bilston.

First lady home was Shona Crombie-Hicks from Tewkesbury Running Club in 39:54.

She is no stranger to this event and has won the ladies prize every year since 2014. Second lady was Kate Krzywiec, North Cotswold Tri and Run and third lady was Stephanie Lane, Bourton Road Runners.

There were 470 runners in the race and the slower runners had to face the worst of the heat.

Mention must be made of the veteran runners. In the ladies V65 category, Sheila Chatterley from Almost Athletes finished in just under the hour in followed by local celebrity Sue Ablett.

Evesham Athlete Virginia Pawlyn V75 was first in her category. . For the older men, Roger Wilson, V75 Stratford on Avon AC again excelled with a time of 52:51.

Leanne Dean, race director said: “A massive thank you to Leaders and Baldwin's Accountant for their sponsorship.

"Ferryfast for supplying the bananas and Morrisons and Tescos for the water.

"Also many local businesses who supported the event with spot prizes. Emerald chiropractors, Health Hub, Cotswold running for water butts and Chipmumf for unique wooden carved prizes.

"We really need local support to make the race a success. I also wish to thank all the marshals who spent the morning in the hot sun and all the other helpers on the day.”

After the main race, the increasingly popular Children’s Fun Run were held, sponsored by Subway. Altogether 120 children took part, in three separate mile events and two shorter events.

Kelly Anne Archer in charge of the fun runs said: "It is great that so many children step up to run these races. Everyone deserves a prize."