DESPITE pouring rain, there were plenty of smiles as more than 500 runners pounded the streets of Felixstowe in an annual event to raise cash for charity.

DESPITE pouring rain, there were plenty of smiles as more than 500 runners pounded the streets of Felixstowe in an annual event to raise cash for charity.

The Bank Holiday fun run was organised by the Rotary Club of Felixstowe for the 28th year - and proved as popular as ever with the weather failing to dampen spirits.

Entrants did as many laps of the mile-long course as they could in an hour, running from the Spa Pavilion on the seafront, up steep and winding Bent Hill, along the clifftops and then down Cobbold Road and Bath Hill to Bath Tap, and back along the prom.

They paid a fee to take part and then raised money for the cause of their choice - the total expected to run into thousands.

The main beneficiary from the Rotary club's proceeds was Suffolk Coastal Home-Start, which offers informal and friendly support for parents with young children.

Malcolm van den Bergh, the road races director, said: “The weather was really miserable and it was extremely wet.

“But in spite of that more than 500 people took part and the atmosphere was very good with lots of people in fancy dress.”

As well as the fun run, the event also included a corporate relay race sponsored by Big Misters Shipping Co Ltd, with businesses entering teams of four runners to do four laps of the course.