GLORIOUS sun shone on Cricklade’s half marathon as hundreds pounded the streets on Sunday - and organisers are delighted with the turnout and how the day went.

Praise has also been heaped on the volunteers and marshals for bringing the community together not only for the half marathon, but the 10k and family fun run.

“The spirit has been really good,” said Phillipa Knight, 58, who has been part of organising the event for 12 years.

“We have got fantastic weather for it. The runners are always very positive for the race and the organisation has gone very well with our 40 plus volunteers.

“It’s great to see the whole community come together because if we didn’t have the community we couldn’t run the event.”

Among those taking part was 76-year-old Mike Chaplin and Louise Norden, 24, who are also pivotal is arranging the day.

The race started life more than 30 years ago as a fun run for people to dress up and raise money for the leisure centre, but in the last eight years it has grown dramatically and the number of participants has shot up.

It was estimated more than 800 people took part and everyone went home with a medal.

The first man to cross the finish line of the half marathon was Rob Forbes of Cirencester Athletics Club (1:14.36) and the first woman was Fee Macock from Cheltenham Harriers (1:26.33).

While the 10k male winner was David Bell of Cirencester Athletics Club (32:40) and the first female was Wendy Nicholls (38:12) of the same club.

Meanwhile, Dan Johnson competed in the fun run with his son Wilf, five, to raise money for Cricklade Youth football team, which Wilf is part of.

Dan, 37, said: “I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s the first run I’ve done with Wilf and it’s a good day out and absolutely fantastic for the local community.

“I think the clock said we did it in about 15 minutes. I keep saying about doing the half marathon and might do it next year.”

Wilf added: “I think it was good. I was a little bit tired because I ran fast.”

Fiona Forde, 45, did the fun run in 28 minutes with her daughter Mia, five, who is an aspiring Olympic swimmer.

It was Fiona’s first time at the fun run but she has previously taken part in the 10k and half marathon.

“We thought it was great fun and it was nice to get all the encouragement from local people when you were running around,” she said.

Denis Galerin, who ran the 10k and lives in Swindon, said: “It was good, it wasn’t too hard and there was only one hill."

Triathlete Jenny Manners, 26, who lives in Loughborough also did the 10k.

Watching her was her mum Helen and grandmother Joyce Wheeler, while her auntie Pam Wheeler was running the 10k too.

Jenny said: “It’s a great atmosphere and event.”