NEARLY 1,000 runners took to the streets of Hook in sweltering heat to pull in the pounds for a host of local good causes.

A total of 997 runners put on their running shoes to take part in the 23rd Hook Fun Run and Road Race last Sunday.

There was an event for all ages and fitness levels as a 10-mile and six-mile road race and a 2.5-mile road fun run saw participants hit the streets in fancy dress.

Music to keep everyone taking part in the event on track was provided by Gary Milton, from Frimley Park Hospital Radio, and all the money raised from the event will go towards funding local charitable causes.

The event was sponsored by First Drinks, based at the Bartley Wood Business Park, in Hook, and the company provided a bottle of Glenfiddich whisky to the adult winners.

Caroline Crabtree-Kingwell, from the event’s organising committee, told The Gazette: “It was an absolutely fantastic day. It is a real community event and the weather made it particularly special for the spectators and supporters, so people stayed on for the award ceremony.

“The Hook Fun Run was set up as a community event to inspire the community and bring them together. It is a great thing that inspires people to get up and do some exercise.”

She added: “People enjoyed the course and looked quite red-faced at the end but we made sure there was absolutely loads of water. We ordered 5,500 cups and we had 640 litres of water at the water stations which was pretty much all gone by the end.”

The winner of the 10-mile race in 52 minutes and 34 seconds was Steve Naylor, from the Bedford and County Athletics Club, while Chris Hunt, from the Datchet Dashers, in Windsor, crossed the line in 36 minutes and 26 seconds to finish first in the six-mile run.

Billy Smith from the Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club, was first across the line in the 2.5-mile fun run, finishing in just 15 minutes and three seconds.