WOULD-BE athletes braved the atrocious conditions on a soggy Sunday morning to hit the ground running in the annual Martlesham run.The weather had done little to put people off as the ten-kilometre road race enjoyed its highest turn out in the ten years it has been run.

WOULD-BE athletes braved the atrocious conditions on a soggy Sunday morning to hit the ground running in the annual Martlesham run.

The weather had done little to put people off as the ten-kilometre road race enjoyed its highest turn out in the ten years it has been run.

Nearly 150 athletes took to Eagle Way, in Martlesham Heath, for the race with Carl Convey, of Ipswich Harriers, winning the men's run and Gail Pryke beating the rest of the women runners.

And while this race took place more than 40 others, of all ages and abilities, entered into the 2.5-km fun run round the village green.

In the under-11s class Laura Wright and Josh Witherdon won the girls and boys runs respectively, in the 11 to 16s race Jade Bole and Matthew Harrison were winners and in the over 16s Betty Brown and Mike Harrison beat the rest of their field.

Bob Spillett, who was in charge of registration for the races, said: "There was a record entry this year even though the weather may have put off some people.

"The rain did relent and turn into drizzle and the runners were quite happy with it. They were quite ideal conditions as there was no wind and the drizzle kept them cool."

"The spectators kept themselves under cover though," he added.