HUNDREDS of runners turned out in glorious sunshine for a scenic race by the banks of the Thames.

Organisers of the Wallingford Thames 10km Run hailed Sunday’s event as the biggest in the race’s history and said they hoped to raise more than £5,000 for charity.

Back for its second year at Howbery Park, in Crowmarsh Gifford, the run, sponsored by CAB International, Sportswize Ltd and Rowse Honey, boasted a record number of entrants, who were tested by the warm conditions.

Marcus Harris: “It’s the largest ever event with almost 550 pre-registered runners. It blows away everything in previous years.

“The move to Howbery Park has been a great success, and they have been so generous.

“Myself and another organiser had done the London 10km and we felt Wallingford deserved one of its own, so we got our heads together in the pub and this is what it has led to.”

Bob Dunn, one of the organising committee members, said: “We are very pleased with the turnout. We had 40 marshals who gave up their time for free, and we couldn’t do it without them.”

Fellow organiser Tony Merrill said: “We had over 100 runners more than last year.

“We’ve got all sorts of runners, from those connected with a club right the way down.

“We’ve also got more teams this year and a lot of the running clubs are putting us on their calendars to use as training for marathons and other 10km runs.

“The main reason for staging the event is for charity. This year we are supporting Cancer Research UK and Paddock Playgroup in Wallingford.

“We had getting on for £5,000 before the race and there is always more to come, but it’s difficult to predict how much we will make.

“Last year we raised £1,500 for Cancer Research and £800 for St Mary’s Church in Wallingford.”

First to cross the finish line was Witney Roadrunner Tony Lock, 43. He said: “It was very, very hot but I’m pleased to have won.

“It’s a nice and scenic course but it wasn’t built for fast times.”

Second-placed Jim Thorn, 43, of Headington Roadrunners, said: “The scenery is beautiful but it was hot and fast.

“It’s quite flat but the heat was a factor. It’s good to have come second but I just turned up to have a run.”

Fifty-year-old Jane Davies, from Goring, was the first female finisher.

She said: “It was a fantastic run on a lovely day. The were wonderful marshals and great organisation, I’ll definitely be back next year.”

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk