THE Olympic Spirit flourished at the Dumble Bimble Fun Runs.

The event was heralded by the Portland Shanty Group serenading runners with Sailing For Gold, a specially written song.

Far ahead from the start in the field of 100 in the five-mile course, Portlander Chris Perham, 17, a member of TRI UK Team and Sixth Former at Thomas Hardye’s, coasted home an easy winner in 28m 42s.

He said: “I have run the two miles on four occasions and in the five miles last year so it was good to win this time and it was a great run.”

He was followed by Mike Luke, (31.34) and Steve Luke, (32.32), both of Egdon Heath Harriers.

The first three ladies were Charlotte Fry,(38.11) from Egdon Heath Harriers followed by Fiona Atkinson, (38.46) and Holly O’Flanagan, (39.47), both from Weymouth St Paul’s.

Dylan Butler, 12, a student at Royal Manor Campus, led the field of 88 runners in the two-mile event in 11m 29s and he said: “This is the second time I have entered and it was great to win.”

Runner up was Harvey Camp, (11.39) with Junior Muir in third place,(11.43).

The first girl home was four-year-old Charlotte Campbell, the youngest ever competitor to achieve this position.

She said: “I have been practicing my running with dad for a few weeks and I managed to beat him tonight.”

With perfect weather conditions, lots of spectators and teams from PUFC, their youth teams, Portland Amateur Boxing Club and a team of ladies from Southwell Community Group taking part, a great fun night was had by all. The event, now in its 17th year, is organised the the Royal Manor of Portland AC with all proceeds going annually to Weldmar Hospice Trust.