A MOTHER and daughter went on the run on Sunday – dressed as convicts. But they did not escape the attention of the crowd on Therfield Heath to witness this year s Royston Runners Fun Run. The run – part sponsored by The Crow – was yet another success wi

A MOTHER and daughter went on the run on Sunday - dressed as convicts.

But they did not escape the attention of the crowd on Therfield Heath to witness this year's Royston Runners' Fun Run.

The run - part sponsored by The Crow - was yet another success with more than 230 runners taking part.

Speaking for the Royston Runners, Maurice Hill said: "We had a lot of positive comments from the runners and those who came to see the event.

"It was certainly worthwhile and I believe in the end it went extremely well," he said.

Royston Runners decided this year not to stage the 10km Heath Trail run at the same time and simply concentrate on the 3km Royston Fun Run.

This was due to problems in the past on meeting the costs of having roads closed and because the event is within a week of the Flora London Marathon.

"A lot of the senior runners are training for the marathon and don't want to interrupt their schedule," said Mr Hill.

"It is something for the community and it is something we are going to continue. We believe it is giving something back to the community," said Mr Hill.

He said: "It is as we say it is: a fun run."

First home was 15-year-old Toby Hone, a student at Freman College in Buntingford he joined the Royston Crows running club - a section set up by the Royston Runners for young runners - in August.

He lead almost from the start and opened a wide gap as he raced around the 3km course on the heath.

"I started with a sprint and just seemed to keep on going," he said after competing the course.

"The course was a bit rough and I had to avoid the rabbit holes," he added.

As usual there were the usual groups of pupils from schools in Reed, Therfield, Sandon and Steeple Morden taking part in the event.

"There was certainly interest afterwards from people who were thinking about joining the club or the Crows," added Mr Hill.

And the convicts - they were Patsy Thomasson and her 12-year-old daughter Harriett, a student at Bassingbourn Village College.

"We have been doing this for the past 10 years and we wanted to do something different," said Mrs Thomasson. "We eventually came up with the idea of dressing like convicts."

Mrs Thomasson was joined in the race by her 10-year-old daughter Charlie Thomasson, a pupil at Steeple Morden School.

"We enjoyed it and we'll be back next year, but we don't know what we'll be wearing," added Mrs Thomasson.

And the success of this year's event probably means that quite a number of people will return in 12 months' time.