Annual Woodbridge Road Race raises record £12,000 for charity

Runners stream through at the start of the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Organised by the Woodbridge Shufflers Running Club, the Round-The-Town charity race is now in its 37th year – and proved to be bigger and better than ever.

The event raised a record £12,000 for five local charities: Barnardos, Cancer Campaign in Suffolk, East Anglian Air Ambulance, Friends of St Mary’s Primary School, and The Miscarriage Association.

A rear view of the runners as they stream through at the start of the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

While the 778 grown ups took on the 10km at 12pm, 179 juniors were tried their hand at a 1.5km race for runners aged between seven and 15.

The event is always incredibly popular with runners from across the county, and this year was no exception – with both races fully booked within 45 minutes of applications opening in March.

Andrew Rooke, winner of the Woodbridge 10k, crosses the finish in a time of 31 minutes 54 seconds. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

The male and female winners of the 10km race were awarded with a £50 cash prize, while those in second place took home £25, and the bronze medal was worth £10.

The winner of the male race, Andrew Rooke from the Framlingham Flyers, said the atmosphere was akin to the Tour de France. He smashed his previous record – completing the 10k in just 31 minutes and 52 seconds, while Eliza Bostock from the Hadleigh Hares won the women’s race in an impressive 40 minutes and 10 seconds.

Elisa Bostok, the Womans winner of the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

Rosie Denny, one of the race marshals, said it was an “absolutely brilliant” day.

“The weather has been cracking,” she said. “Most people said it was hot and it was hard but I am so pleased I did it.”

Runners and supporters from the Turks Head, Hasketon, pictured before the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: � Copyright Stephen Waller)

This was a year of many firsts, as the newly-elected mayor of Woodbridge David Mortimer made one of his first public outings in the role, while it was also a debut for race director Paul Wright.

Mr Wright added that he wanted to thank the volunteers who helped run the event – as it would not be possible without them.

Andrew Rooke, winner of the Woodbridge 10k, races up onto the Market Hill, as he heads for the finish in a time of 31 minutes 54 seconds. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

The 10km course consisted of a short 600m section from the start to Market Hill, and then continued for two laps through the streets of Woodbridge.

In order to allow the races to take place safely, a number of roads were closed for a time – including Theatre Street, New Street and Burkitt Road.

Neil Catley and daughters Immy (left) and Livvy pictured ahead of the Woodbridge 10k. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Last year, charities chosen by the family of a grandmother-of-three who died of breast cancer benefitted from a record-breaking £11,000 raised at the road race.

Woodbridge Mayor David Mortimer pictured ahead of his first official duty at the Woodbridge 10k. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Mark Hayden and son Tom who ran in the Woodbridge 10k are pictured ahead of the race. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Crowds turned out to cheer the runners in the Woodbridge 10k. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Brothers Andrew and Patrick Cooney, who raced in fancy dress, are pictured just after finishing the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Crowds turned out to cheer on the runners in the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Ready for the off: The junior race runners leave the start. Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

The runners leave the start in the Woodbridge 10k race, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Thomas Wright cools down after running the Woodbridge 10k. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

A large crowd on the Market Hill wait for the runners in the Woodbridge 10k to arrive. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

A young supporter cheers on the runners in the Woodbridge 10k. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

L-R Charlele Evans, Maria Bilner and Hanne Ness pictured ahead of Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Michael Eccles who finished second in the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Nathan Goddard, who came home 4th in the Woodbridge 10k in a time of 35 minutes 10 seconds. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Elisa Bostock, the first female home in the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Mens winner Andrew Rooke, near the finish of the Woodbridge 10k. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)

Runners and supporters from the Turks Head, Hasketon, pictured before the Woodbridge 10k, on 20 May 2018. Picture: Steve Waller www.stephenwaller.com (Image: © Copyright Stephen Waller)