Thousands of runners shared the exhilaration of crossing the finishing line of the first Great East Run in Ipswich.
Chelmsford runner Ryan Prout, of Thrift Green Trotters, won the race in 1:12:23, followed by Ipswich Jaffa’s Rob Chenery in 1:15:04 and Steve Skinner, of Run-Fast Sports Management, in 1:16:07.
Odette Robson took the women’s title for St Edmunds Pacers in 1:23:31, followed by Laura Thomas, of Ipswich Jaffa, in 1:25:47 and Alice Heather-Hayes, of Hadleigh Hares, in 1:26:39.
• Results - See where you placed in the Great East Run 2017
The pack took off from the starting line at Russell Road at 10am, heading towards the town centre on their way around the half marathon course.
Crowds lined the streets to cheer on those taking part, waving banners as they passed the town’s landmarks.
The first of the runners are now crossing the finishing line.
Zoe and Ali Peck, 13 and 10, stood close to the Giles statue to catch a glimpse of their mum Helen and her friend Julie Temple, who have together raised more than £1,000 for Ipswich Hospital’s neo natal unit.
“Zoe said: “She is very brave to do it.
“I think she is brilliant.”
Helen’s husband Andrew said: “She was feeling a bit anxious earlier on but was really looking forward to it.
“She is hoping to do it in around three hours I think.
“The run is really good for the town. “It has brought the community together, people encouraging everyone else, around the course raising lots of money for charity.”
Josh and Oliver Holland, 15 and 11, from Stowmarket, were cheering along their dad Tony Holland who has raised around £2,000 for Alzheimer’s UK.
Josh said his dad had started running with him as part of his Duke of Edinburgh award.
He said: “We only started running 2k runs for a bit of fun but it has moved to 5k and 10k.
“He has lost more than four stone, he has trained really hard for this.
“So many people are taking part and cheering everyone on .
“It is a really good event and it keeps people fit.”
His girlfriend Amber Broom said: “He has been training all year for it.
“He even went out on Boxing Day after a big Christmas dinner the day before.
“We are all very proud of him, he has done so well.”
Stay with us for continued coverage of today’s Great East Run.
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