Neither gales, rain nor mist could stop a record number of participants attend a running event.

Despite the drop of temperatures, mist up Thorncombe Beacon and sheets of rain, 167 runners started in the Bridport Jurassic Coast Run, a record attendance and increase from 154 finishers in 2017.

The race, which is its sixth year and organised by the Bridport Runners and Brit Valley Rotary Club, saw runners start from the harbour promenade at West Bay, running up to Thorncombe Beacon, down to Seatown (half-marathon runners only) and back through Downhouse Farm, Eype to West Bay.

The half-marathon consisted of two loops, meaning that participants had to do the gruesome climb up the second highest hill on the south coast twice.

Winner of the half-marathon for the second year in a row was Ruth Barnes, who finished the race in 1 hour 39 minutes and five seconds.

The fastest male over that distance was Benoit Morkel, a guest student from Namibia, who completed the course in 1 hour 41 minutes and 28 seconds.

Winner of the 10 kilometre race was Neil Wicks from Worcester Tri Club in a time of 44 minutes and 22 second, a new course record.

Fastest female finisher in the 10 kilometre race was Sarah Orr from Wimborne AC in 57.37 minutes.

Bridport Runners' chair, Brian Shelley, said: "Looking at a new record in numbers of participants, I think it is fair to say that in its sixth year, the Bridport Jurassic Coast Run has established itself as a community event and a recommended race among club runners from all over the south west."

This year's race was the first to be time-chipped, and the first run since the 10 kilometre and half-marathon races had been certified as fell races under the rules of the Fell Runners Association.

John Dobinson of Brit Valley Rotary, said: "It was so wonderful to see all the eager runners, young and old, coming from near and far, storming up West Cliff.

"Some of them have become regulars, having done the race two or even three times."

The biggest running group of runners came from Axe Valley Runners, Sidmouth Running Club, Avon Valley Runners and Crewkerne Running Club.

The oldest starter was Rosemarie Osborne, at the age of 72, and the youngest was Ellie Kirtley, at the age of 20.