HUNDREDS of runners braved fierce weather conditions to take part in a popular charity run.

HUNDREDS of runners braved fierce weather conditions to take part in a popular charity run.

With the gusts behind them for around half of the five-mile course of the annual Sudbury Fun Run, and houses sheltering them for the rest of the race, many of the 420 competitors posted near record times.

Organiser of the Rotary Club of Sudbury event, Alan Hodges, described the run as “brilliant” despite the inclement weather: “A good time was had by all. We had a really good day out and although the conditions were not helpful no-one let it spoil the fun.”

He said the winning time, of 26 minutes and 58 seconds by Robert Chenery, from Ipswich Jaffa, was not far off last year's best time.

Mr Hodges hoped last year's total of over £5,000 would be almost matched by this year's event, which as well as serious runners attracted a wide fancy dress field including people decked out as nuns, nurses and even Ipswich Town supporters.

Funds raised will go to the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Mr Hodges thanked the Sudbury branch of Waitrose for supporting the event and making it possible for the vast majority of the total to be handed straight to the charity.

An air ambulance fly past planned for the event had to be cancelled because of the weather.