Hundreds of runners take part in this year's Weymouth Half Marathon

Yesterday saw the return of the annual sporting event with runners coming from all over the country to take part and raise money for charity.

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As well as the half marathon, organisers Just Racing introduced a 10k race.

The event was originally due to take place in March but had to be rescheduled due to extremely bad and dangerous weather conditions.

Duncan Ward, aged 48 and from Dorset, won this year’s men's half marathon. He completed the race in one hour, 17 minutes and 58 seconds.

He runs as part of the Dorset Doddlers Running Club and said: “I came fifth last year and was two seconds quicker this year. It’s a lovely race with beautiful sea views and a really good crowd.”

Finishing second in the men’s half marathon was Matt Papa, aged 19 from Weymouth. He was running as part of BustinSkin Triathlon Club and finished the race in a time of one hour 19 minutes and 55 seconds.

Speaking about coming second place, he said: “It was a really good, Weymouth is such a good place to run. It’s nice to have so much support.

“It was a really well organised race.”

Adam Davies, came third place in the men’s half marathon, finishing in a time of one hour 20 minutes and two seconds.

He said: “I have done this race two times before, this is my best Weymouth time.”

James Cole, aged 37 from Romsey, came first in the men’s 10k race, running in the 35-39 category. He finished a time of 40 minutes and 40 seconds.

Although injured, Mr Cole was keen to take part in the challenge and was pleased with his result.

He said: “I am injured and took it up last minute because my sister was taking part. I am very pleased to have won. It’s a nice flat and fast course.”

His sister, Sarah Cole, aged 39, said she enjoyed the challenge and was pleased to beat the race in under an hour.

Helen Pittard, who came second in the women’s 10k race, said she didn’t expect to come second but really enjoyed the course and the supportive crowds.

Alan Rose, race director, said: “The weather has been kinder to us than it was in March.

“From our point of view it has been so far so good. It’s always very satisfying getting everyone through the course.

“We have 100 marshals this year who are a mix of volunteers and charity reps. They’re all part of it.

“There has a good community feel to it all. We have got different groups helping out including C-Siders, Weldmar which is our main charity, Will Mackaness Trust, Cross Fit Weymouth, Sandsfoot Café, Dorchester Riot.

“There are a lot of local runners and a lot of people from the wider community who have come to support people. We have runners from all over the country, there are people from Birmingham and The Midlands.

“It’s a great place to visit and great course to run.

“We have been going for years and the reputation has been building. People enjoy it, it’s a good race, there’s not many hills so they can go quite fast.”

A spokesman for Weldmar Hospicecare said they are pleased to be the event’s main charity, and had 35 runners competing in the races. All the money will go towards providing end of life care for people in Dorset.

Here is a list of the winners

Men's half marathon:

1 Duncan Ward time 01:17:58

2 Matt Papa time 01:19:55

3 Adam Davies time 01:20:02

Women’s half marathon:

1 Allison Roberts time 01:09:44

2 Jonelle Russell time 01:09:44

3 Isobel Rea time 01:26:40

Men's 10k race:

1 James Cole time 00:40:40

2 Luke Young time 00:42:39

3 Daniel Bibby time 00:45:26

Women's 10k race:

1 Joanna White 00:49:20

2 Helen Pittard time 00:50:11

3 Dulcie Herreros 00:52:08