MAD March hares dashed out the blocks today as the hugely popular fun run saw hundreds turn out for some Sunday morning exercise.

The 10k and 5k routes started and finished at Lydiard Park Academy and helped to raise funds for Breast Cancer Now.

People sported all kinds of fancy dress, from chaps in tutus to ladies dressed as bunny rabbits.

Runners even brought their dogs along and plenty of children didn’t wish to be outdone by their parents.

Debbie Ayres, 35, from Freshbrook, was confident she had made the right choice by opting for the 5k.

“I’m not a very good runner, I haven’t been doing it very long at all,” she said, while warming up in a pair of very snazzy bright pink trainers.

“A Christmas, I set myself the goal of running 10k before my birthday in August, and if I can do this today I think I’ll be well on the way to hitting that.”

The Mad March Hare was inspired by Irene Hare, a member of Swindon Twin Peaks Power Walking group and a keen fundraiser for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Irene lost her life to breast cancer in 2006, aged only 46.

Hundreds of people took part in the race and were only too pleased to be making the most of the fresh air for charity.

Mayor Maureen Penny blew the fog horn that signalled the start of the race and a host of sweet treats and goodies were waiting for the participants on their return.

Psyching up the runners before a mass Zumba-inspired warm up, one of the organising team, Margaret Nicholson, said: “Thank you all for coming along today. One hundred per cent of your entry fee is going to our charity Breast Cancer Now. Last year we topped 100,000 fundraising and you are kicking us off towards a second £100,000.”

Stuart and Kath Hammond, who live in West Swindon, were not taking part in the race but they made the trip just to cheer on the runners.

Kath, 60, said: “It’s a brilliant event and everyone is a hero for raising all that money for a wonderful cause. We would rather watch from the sidelines though.”