HUNDREDS of runners turned out in force for Great Baddow's annual races on Sunday, raising an incredible £12,000 for local charities.
The event, organised by Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club, attracted 750 entries in the ten-mile race and another 700 in the two-mile fun run at Great Baddow Recreation Ground.
More than 130 volunteers helped make the 29th annual event, sponsored by chartered accountants Edmund Carr, possible, while onlookers enjoyed fairground rides, a variety of stalls and enentertainment from Hospital Radio Chelmsford.
President of the Rotary club, Robert Cappin, 69, said: "It was a great success and it seemed everyone had a fantastic time, not just the runners, but the public who came just to watch and enjoy the atmosphere.
"We owe everything to the 130 or so volunteers, 31 are from Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary but we get some help from the other clubs and lots of friends and relatives.
"The Sea Cadets helped to marshal the car park for us and did a great job and we had marshals all along the ten-mile route and at water stations.
"Even my wife Jennie made about 400 cups of tea and that was just for the people who worked on site.
"All in all, it's a very complex operation but one that we're very proud to operate."
The event was launched by Paralympic legend Danny Crates of Maldon.
But the famous runner, who holds the 800 metre world record, did not take part as planned partly because of a calf injury, although he admitted to the crowd it was really because of a late night rugby club dinner.
Former Army infantryman Andrew Bracy, 38, of Burnham on Crouch, was the only wheelchair racer to take part in the event, which he first completed two years ago in a wheelchair bike.
But this time, Mr Bracy, who lost mobility in a motorcycle crash with another vehicle in 2005, took part in the wheelchair he uses every day and finished in a personal best of one hour, 18 minutes and 13 seconds.
He said: "It was different because I play wheelchair basketball but with that it's 40 minutes fast and furious, but this was just to see what my fitness is like on an endurance run.
"I'm quite impressed with how I got on."
The event has raised around £400,000 for local charities since it began almost 30 years ago.
This year the Friends of Hargraves House, a Chelmsford respite centre for young people with severe learning difficulties; the Alzheimer's Chelmsford branch; Riding for the Disabled at Barrow Farm in Highwood; and the Chelmsford Starfish Project which helps people overcome stammers and speech problems, are set to benefit.
