The second Ross 10K and Fun Run, held on Sunday September 23rd, was a great success. Despite the rain it raised approximately £2,500 for Acorns Children's Hospice.

Both runs were started by a hooter operated by Alex Jordan, who had carried the Olympic torch in Worcester and is an Ambassador for Acorns Children's Hospice. He posed for plenty of photographs with his own golden torch.

125 athletes ran the 10k, more than twice as many as last year. First home in three minutes 48 secs was canicross runner, Kim Mazzuca, with her dog who were training for the European Canicross championships. The first 10K runner was Peter Woodward in 39 minutes 07 seconds and the first 10k woman was Alex Champ in 40 minutes 47 seconds. In last place, but crossing the finish line to rapturous applause, was 81-year-old George Horder, a tremendous example to those who think they are too old to run.

The Fun Run, which started at 10.15am, was an exciting event with grannies, parents, 10k runners with their offspring, toddlers and babies in pushchairs taking part and having a great time. First across the finish line was 13-year-old, Joseph Gilkes from Coventry, who had competed in a 5k run the day before, and second was Charlie Clayton from Daventry

Eunice from Ross Health and Fitness conducted a pre-run aerobics warm up routine for the 10K Runners, and Master of Ceremonies Ben Abbott, who was in sparkling form, did the same for the Fun Runners

Details can be found on the run website http://www.rossonwye4acorns.co.uk">www.rossonwye4acorns.co.uk.

More photos of the run on page 26 of this week's Ross Gazette.