Runners braved the frosty conditions this morning to take on a picturesque race alongside the River Orwell.

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. Adults Race.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. Adults Race. (Image: Archant)

The annual event, organised by Ipswich Jaffa Running Club, started and finished at Suffolk Food Hall in Wherstead and was open to members of the 53-12 cross country league, made up of clubs in Suffolk and north Essex.

Despite temperatures dropping to -8C (17.6F) in parts of the region last night, the coldest recorded in four years, more than 500 people competed.

Ipswich Star: Runners take part in the latest JAFFA cross country, which started at finished at Suffolk Food Hall.Runners take part in the latest JAFFA cross country, which started at finished at Suffolk Food Hall. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich’s cross country secretary Brian Rogers said: “Everyone seemed to enjoy it, we had good feedback.

“It’s such a beautiful course, near the Orwell Bridge and River.”

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. Adults Race.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. Adults Race. (Image: Archant)

There was a junior race of one-and-a-half miles, and a senior course of nearly five miles.

The men’s winner was Craig Fiddaman; first woman was Sara Bird; and fastest junior was Thomas Abbott.

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. (Image: Archant)

It was the fourth time Ipswich Jaffa Running Club has held its cross country event at Suffolk Food Hall.

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Among the races organised by JAFFA is a cross country, based at Suffolk Food Hall, as part of the 53-12 leagueAmong the races organised by JAFFA is a cross country, based at Suffolk Food Hall, as part of the 53-12 league (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.Start of the Junior Race.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.Start of the Junior Race. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.Start of the Junior Race.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday.Start of the Junior Race. (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: 017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. Adults Race.017 NB Ipswich Jaffa Cross Country at Suffolk Food Hall on Sunday. Adults Race. (Image: Archant)