RUNNERS of all ages took to the streets of Corsham for the town’s annual St George’s 10k event, raising about £5,000 for charity on Sunday.

The 10k event, running for the 30th year and jointly organised by the Rotary Club of Corsham and Corsham Running Club, had 723 runners. They helped raise the funds, which will be split between Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund, Young Carers in Wiltshire and other local charities.

Throughout the event – won by Simon Plummer of Salisbury Running Club in a time of 32 minutes 29 seconds – runners were cheered along by local people, who offered encouragement and refreshments for those feeling the strain on their way to the finish line at Corsham Town Football Club, Lacock Road.

Race director Alex Fogwill said: “All-in-all, everything has gone pretty well. We had 805 entries, with 723 taking part on the day, which is a great effort for a town the size of Corsham. We also had lots of local people supporting our runners, which they really appreciated.

“We were very pleased with the entry and the pretty slick organisation that we have managed to achieve. Year-on-year, we iron out a few wrinkles and this time it went as well as we could have hoped for.”

Mr Fogwill paid tribute to local businesses Oakleys, Coppins, So Cabellos, Indulgence, Sirius physiotherapy, HF Lettings and HF Estate Agents, which supported the 10k run.

Every runner who took part received a goody bag and a commemorative mug, marking the St George’s 10k’s 30th anniversary and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Tom Perkins, of the Chippenham Harriers, who ran the 10k in 41 minutes 42 seconds, said: “It has been a brilliant day with a fantastic atmosphere and it always seems to attract so many people because it is a good route and mainly because it is very well organised.”

MP Duncan Hames presented the category winners with their prizes and he also picked out the lucky raffle winner, who won a holiday to Tenerife.

Mr Hames said: “The conditions have been great for running and everybody has had a lot of fun.

“I think all the runners deserve a pat on the back for taking part and raising money for charity.”