MORE than 1,500 people took to the streets and parks of Ipswich this morning for the fourth Larking Gowen Ipswich Half Marathon.

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And warnings of poor weather during the race couldn’t stop the carnival atmosphere at the start of the event as thousands of people also prepared to line the streets.

Last year’s winner Steve Robinson, retained his title again as he finished in a time of 1:10:56, followed by Lewis Chalk, in a time of 1:12:18 and Ipswich JAFFA runner Tom Fairbrother in 1:12:30.

The organisers of the race, Ipswich JAFFA Running Club, Ipswich Borough Council and Larking Gowen, believe the London Olympics encouraged more people to take part this year and they were delighted with this year’s turnout.

Terry Back, race director for Ipswich JAFFA, added: “The race committee would like to thank all the athletes and volunteers for making the 2012 race so successful and are already looking forward to an even bigger and better race in 2013.”

Despite a chilly morning, thousands of people lined the streets of the town as the race set off from the Northgate Sports Centre and travelled through the town’s estates and parks.

One of the principal beneficiaries of the race was the local branch of the NSPCC, although runners also took part in aid of their own chosen good causes.

■ For a full report and more pictures of today’s half marathon, pick up a copy of the paper tomorrow.

Top 50 runners

1. STEVEN ROBINSON – 01:10:56

2. LEWIS CHALK – 01:12:18

3. TOM FAIRBROTHER – 01:12:30

4. ROBERT REASON – 01:12:54

5. ANTHONY JACKSON – 01:12:59

6. MATT SPENCER – 01:13:27

7. ALAN COONEY – 01:17:20

8. BRIAN HERRINGTON – 01:17:53

9. COLIN RIDLEY – 01:18:16

10. MATTHEW HUNT – 01:18:42

11. DANIEL SIMPSON – 01:18:46

12. JOHN SCAIFE – 01:19:10

13. WILFRED CAMPBELL – 01:19:15

14. WILL MARSHALL – 01:21:08

15. JONATHAN LING – 01:21:33

16. KEITH MARRA – 01:21:57

17. JAMES FARREN – 01:22:09

18. KEITH TILLEY – 01:22:22

19. GRAHAM JENVEY – 01:22:25

20. MARTYN TAYLOR – 01:22:46

21. DAMIEN BRUNEAU – 01:23:49

22. JIM LAST – 01:24:37

23. STUART WRIGHT – 01:24:35

24. LEO ALTARELLI – 01:25:09

25. DAVID JONES – 01:25:14

26. JASON TAYLOR – 01:25:17

27. SHANE DRAPER – 01:25:31

28. JASON BERRY – 01:25:42

29. MARK GODDARD – 01:25:42

30. MATTHEW KNOWLES – 01:25:59

31. STUART BEESTON – 01:26:02

32. HENRY CHANCELLOR – 01:26:00

33. SIMON HARRISON – 01:26:15

34. BEN RODRIGUEZ – 01:26:50

35. MARK HAYWARD – 01:27:34

36. SIMON SIDDONS – 01:27:31

37. CHRIS TYE – 01:27:40

38. JON WILES – 01:28:07

39. NIGEL ROGERS – 01:28:09

40. JAMES LAY – 01:28:13

41. CHARLES KEITCH – 01:28:19

42. TIM HANMAN – 01:28:22

43. CRAIG WARRINER – 01:28:32

44. TIM ANGELL – 01:28:41

45. NEIL HIGGINS – 01:28:48

46. JAMES REED – 01:28:57

47. TOM PIKE – 01:29:05

48. NICK ASKHAM – 01:29:12

49. SIMON HANCE – 01:29:23

50. DAVE LUMBY – 01:29:31