THIS year s Royston Fun Run proved a success yet again – and there was a record number of more than 260 entries. Race director Maurice Hill said: It is becoming a real community event with more people becoming involved. He said that the run on Therfield

THIS year's Royston Fun Run proved a success yet again - and there was a record number of more than 260 entries.

Race director Maurice Hill said: "It is becoming a real community event with more people becoming involved."

He said that the run on Therfield Heath on Sunday morning saw an increase in the number of schools taking part.

"We pushed this year for schools to take part and they responded well," he said.

The event, jointly supported by The Crow and Saffron Insurance, over 3km, is now in its second year since the Royston Runners had to abandon its 10km race which used to run in conjunction with the fun run.

It had to be dropped because of costs and orders for road closures were running too high.

"I think we're seeing an event now which is clearly going from strength-to-strength and we will ensure that it continues," said Mr Hill.

"Everyone seemed to enjoy it, and I can see the event growing and growing."

The event was led home for the second year running by Toby Hone in a time of 10min 56sec.

The 16-year-old is now a member of the Royston Crows, the youth section of the Royston Runners.

As usual along with the serious athletes there were those who "dressed" for the occasion, such as Spiderman in the shape of Simon Barker, and one runner who covered the course with a skipping rope.

And as last year, mother and daughter Patsy and Harriet Thomasson ran the event in a one-piece costume, which meant going around the course three-legged.

"It was more difficult than last year, but the costume survived without splitting," said Patsy, who with her daughter ran the event last year in a convict suit carrying a ball and chain.

They also managed to collect £75 for Macmillan Nursing along the way.

And Holly, a four-year-old whippet, completed the course under the guidance of her owner, Royston Runner Geoff Dayus.

Winners

Boys pre school: 1 Nick Mitchell, 16:59; 2 Gus Long 19:53; 3 Jacob Burgess 25:24. Girls pre school: 1 Eleanor Williamson 21:45; 2 Ava Playle 22:17; 3 Anna Gallo 25:24. Boys years 1-2: 1 Theo Reed 14:50; 2 James Biddlecombe 16:31; 3 Jonathan Gambell 17:30. Boys Years 3-4: 1 Gus Rees 12:01; 2 Robbie Filby 13:59; 3 Luke Barrett 14:35. Boys Years 5-6: 1 Luke Holmes 11:45; 2 Alex Close 12:45; 3 Jake Long 12:48; 4 Alex Close 22::05. Boys years 7-8: 1 Duston Hone 11:30; 2 Will Annette 13:39; 3 Elliot Burr 13:50. Boys Years 9-10: 1 Joshua Yarrien 11:42; 2 Stefan Haas 11:53; 3 Bruce Harrison 12:01.

Girls Years 1-2: 1 Charlotte Conn 16:33; 2 Danielle Close 17:41; 3 Kate Weddepohl 20:24. Girls Years 3-4: 1 Christy Stubbs 16:05; 2 Anna Worsey 17:45; 3 Georgia Plumb 19:56. Girls Years 5-6: 1 Sophie Jones 11:57; 2 Emma Calder 12:41; 3 Rebecca O'Sullivan 13:35. Girls Years 7-8: 1 Kelly Stubbs 15:47; 2 Jennifer Biddlecombe 16:01; 3 Georgia Clark 16:01. Girls Years 9-10: 1 Karen Meadons 13:01; 2 Lucy Hewison 13:19; 3 Claire Wood 14:21.