Fundraisers take on the heat along Felixstowe seafront in aid of good causes

Local sports groups were among the 800 runners taking part. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Nutty professors, minions and fairies were among those who were spotted in Felixstowe yesterday as the town’s Rotary Club hosted its annual charity fun run.

The event tasked participants to complete as many laps as they could in an hour around a mile long course centred on the Spa Pavilion - a feat made more challenging by the warm spring weather yesterday.

A 'fairy' takes on the Felixstowe fun run. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Those taking part were encouraged to wear fancy dress, with prizes presented to those with the best outfits by the Mayor of Felixstowe, Nick Barber.

The top fancy dress prize for this year was won by the Felixstowe Park Run group who completed the race dressed in a range of costumes including characters from Star Wars, a cowgirl and Mr Tummnus from The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Runners took on the heat to raise money for charity. Picture: GREGG BROWN

They were followed by a representative of the East and Mid Suffolk Guide Dogs who was dressed up as pup and another racer who was dressed as a minion from the Despicable Me films.

As well as the costumed crusaders a number of local sports groups took to the streets to raise money for charity including Felixstowe Rugby Club and younger members of Felixstowe and Walton FC.

More than 800 runners took part, this year raising money for Fresh Start - new beginnings. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Rotary Club of Felixstowe president Les Roome said: “From our point of view it could not have gone better.”

Around 730 people took part in this year’s race, the largest number in recent history and around 50 more than last year’s event.

800 took part in the Rotary Club of Felixstowe's annual fun run. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Conditions were a little different from the chilly weather that greeted entrants in 2017.

“The weather could not have been better. It wasn’t too hot as there was a nice coastal breeze,” said Mr Roome.

Sportsmen and women were among those who took part. Picture: GREGG BROWN

Two drinking stations were set up along the race to ensure that runners stayed hydrated in the heat.

Last year the East Suffolk Association for the Blind received a cheque for £1,500 from the fun run.

It’s not known yet how much has been raised with money coming both from entrance fees as well as adverts in the race day programme.

The main charity being supported by the race this year is Ipswich-based Fresh Start - new beginnings, which supports children who have been sexually abused.