COSTUMED characters came out in the sunshine for the annual Whitchurch Pub Race.

On Sunday, people took to the streets of the town to raise money while making stops at the town’s drinking establishments on the way.

Starting from the King’s Arms, 35 teams with a total of 203 people took to the streets for three miles to raise money for causes.

After nine stops at pubs and other points in the area, the runners finished at the Red House.

The gathered crowd gave the runners money, which was put in buckets they were carrying.

While the whole total of donations is yet to be tallied, after subtracting costs, the sum will be around £2,500, which will be put back into the community, helping to organise future events like the annual firework display.

Rob Dunlop, chair of the Whitchurch Festival Association and one of the event’s organisers, said: “We had a really good turnout, and the weather was perfect, despite the predictions of thunderstorms. It was a great atmosphere, and the costumes were fantastic, as they always are. Thank you to the volunteers and everyone in the teams for all their work and effort.”

Some teams were given awards for their efforts. The fastest time around the course was given to the Stomach Pumpers and the award for best costumes went to the potato-based team of the Spectaters.

Team Sticky Doorknobs managed to raise the most money online, while portable-toilet-based team I’d Give That Five Minutes If I Were You, raised the most money on their way round.

Human whack-a-mole style team Kiss Fist were voted to have the best team effort, dressing up as construction workers and giving the crowd an opportunity to hit team members with a foam hammer.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council loaned the group litter-pickers for the squad of people clearing up, but one person had started early.

Rob added: “When we went to start the litter pick on the morning after the Pub Race, we saw that someone was already there. A gentleman had started already, having turned up to work at the Kudos Coffee Shop half an hour early, at 6.30am. We were very grateful and appreciative.

“The litter-pickers from the council were really helpful as well.”