More than 2,400 runners took part in the inaugural Great East Run today with thousands more lining the route to wave them on.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Our photographers were posted along the route, snapping photos of the runners as they made their way around the gruelling 13.1 mile course.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Can you spot yourself among the runners? Were you in the crowds cheering them on?

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Setting off from the finishing line at Russell Road at 10am in three waves, the runners pounding the streets towards the town centre before making their way towards Wherstead.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Huge crowds waving banners and signs cheered them on, their support giving the runners that extra boost to the finishing line.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich The St Elizabeth Hospice team Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich The St Elizabeth Hospice team Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Philippa Morrow, project manager of the Simplyhealth Great East Run, said the event had been a huge success.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

She said: “It’s been a fantastic day at the Simplyhealth Great East Run and we’d like to say a huge congratulations to the thousands of people who took part.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich St Edmund Pacers before the run Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich St Edmund Pacers before the run Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

“We would also like to say a big thank you to our key local partners who have helped to deliver a fantastic event and the hundreds of local volunteers who gave the runners an unforgettable running experience.

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

“We saw unprecedented demand for the Simplyhealth Great East Run this year and I would encourage anyone who wishes to enter the 2018 event to do so as soon as it opens to avoid missing out.”

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Winner Ryan Prout Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Winner Ryan Prout Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: The first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTTThe first Simplyhealth Great East Run in Ipswich Picture: ANDY ABBOTT (Image: Archant)