More than 600 runners welcomed the return of the Abingdon Marathon as they pounded the streets for charity yesterday.

Competitors took part in the run from Tilsley Park.

The marathon had been due to celebrate its 25th birthday last year, but had to be cancelled because of a lack of volunteers.

However, this year more than 100 marshals from Abingdon Amblers Athletics Club and other local groups helped out along the route.

Race director Gary Richards said: "It feels good that the race is back on.

"The runners weren't the problem — we had the runners, it was the helpers we didn't have enough of.

"The Abingdon Marathon is quite important as it's the only one in southern England apart from London. The runners like Abingdon and they like the area."

He hoped about £5,000 would be raised for the club's three charities — Sobell House hospice in Oxford, children's bereavement charity Seesaw and Against Breast Cancer.

The new route took runners towards Radley, through Abingdon town centre, past Drayton and Milton Park and then back to Tilsley Park.

Steven Neill, 37, was the first to make it to the finishing line in a time of two hours, 32 minutes, 25 seconds.

The research chemist travelled from Leeds to be at the race and was not even sure he would take part. Mr Neill said: "I am really chuffed because until 7.30am I wasn't going to run as I have had a cold since Thursday, but the race has cleared my sinuses.

"This is only my second marathon event — the last one was back home in Belfast in 2005. It's a good location — nice and flat."

In second place was Keith Russell, part of Reading Road Runners, who finished in two hours, 35 minutes, 48 seconds.

Mr Russell, 31, said: "It was my personal best time. I felt fine.

"I was going to do this two years ago, but I got a stress fracture and last year it was cancelled so I thought I might as well do it this year."

The first woman across the finishing line was mother-of-two Samantha Amends, from High Wycombe. It was Ms Amends's first marathon since giving birth to her 10-month-old son Spencer. She also has a daughter, Emily, six.

Ms Amends said: "I am so pleased. I came second two years ago, but I had last year off as I had a baby, so it was a real morale booster that I came first."

Her time was three hours and two minutes.

She added: "When I was at school, I always wanted to do a marathon and this is my seventh in three years. I felt quite good, but I'm glad it's over."

Paul Fernandez, of Radley, is a member of the Abingdon Amblers Athletics Club.

He was cheered to the finishing line by wife Tracey, 33, daughter Rachel, seven, and sons James, five, and George, four. He completed the course in two hours, 38 minutes, 56 seconds.

Mr Fernandez, 34, said: "I'm pleased about my time — I found it hard around the 22-mile mark, but I managed to hold on."

For Duncan Hancox, of Northcourt Road, Abingdon, it was the second time he had completed the town's marathon.

He said: "I have been a member of the Abingdon Amblers running club for about 16 years.

"It was very hard this time as it was a little bit windy.

"Although there are people out supporting you, you feel very much on your own out there sometimes. It's well supported and well marshalled, but it just makes it psychologically difficult."

Mr Hancox, 33, was cheered on by girlfriend Laura Jeffrey, 29, from Oxford, and finished at two hours, 56 minutes, 17 seconds.

Miss Jeffrey added: "I am really proud of him."

All runners were given a gold medal and a bag of energy foods provided by Waitrose.

James McKellar, who is in his mid-70s, was given a special trophy for completing his 100th marathon.