THE 32nd Poole Festival of Running has taken place in Poole Park, drawing thousands – from top flight international athletes to families and fun runners.
Celebrity impressionist - and Poole resident - Debra Stephenson started some of the races, alongside Team GB volleyball player Dan Hunter and Cllr Judy Butt from Borough of Poole.
See all our pictures from the races in our galleries here
Runners completed the 10k race this afternoon.
Festival chairman Mike Towner said the number of runners was significantly up on last year.
"We are very pleased with the number of participants, and the event has been going very well so far," he said.
"There were about 100 extra children taking part which is great."
Some 400 youngsters took part in the children's events this morning, while around 350 runners braved the Dorset Cancer 5k.
Just over 1,000 runners, including top internationals, took on the 10km race this afternoon.
Kenyan Boniface Kiprop Kongin won the 10k - which began at 2.30pm - as widely tipped. While Tom Payne from Winchester hoped to get round the 10k course in under 30 minutes. The course record is just 28.55 mins.
In the ladies' race top Kenyan runner Perendis Lekepana was looking to finish in just over 33 minutes.
Also taking part were three generations of the same family – Jenny and Darren Rowe, Jenny’s mum Joan Harrop and the couple’s three children – including seven-year-old Heather, who has cerebral palsy and will complete the under eight’s half a mile race on a running bike.
Jenny, who took up running after being diagnosed with type two diabetes, said she was inspired by her children, Heather, Sarah, three, and eight-year-old Emma, adding: ”If my kids can do it then so can I.” Jenny’s mum Joan, 62, is joining her in the 5k, while dad Darren is taking on the 10k.
She added: “With the different times of the races, we can cheer each other on throughout the day – it’s a lovely thing to do as a family.”
The festival in Poole Park started at 10am with minithons for children under 14 and the Dorset Cancer Centre 5k, which is supported by the Daily Echo, began at 11.30am.
Among the younger runners taking part was 11-year-old Paige Derbyshire, who took on the 1.5km race twice as she was too young to enter the 5km.
And despite the hot weather Paige took part wearing a monkey onesie to raise funds for Poole Hospital, where her grandmother is being treated for cancer.
"I don't do a lot of running normally, and it takes a bit of effort to get out there," she said.
"But when I am out there it's fun but hard work. But it was a good cause, which kept me going."
Jill Carter, Paige's other grandmother, said the family were very proud of her.
"She did a great job, I was nearly crying at the finish line," she said. There will also be stall and entertainments throughout the day.
The race results can be found below:
Dorset Cancer Cente 5K Results.csv
Poole 10k Ladies Provisional.xls
Minithon results:
boys 10-11 team rptResultTeam.csv
boys 8-9 team rptResultTeam.csv
boys 10-11 indiv rptResult.csv
The Dorset Cancer Centre at Poole Hospital is expected to benefit from thousands raised in sponsorship.
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