THE most popular road race in Suffolk has raised thousands of pounds for charities.The 10km round-the-town race in Woodbridge attracted capacity entries of 500 men and women for the senior race and 150 for the junior race.

By Richard Smith

THE most popular road race in Suffolk has raised thousands of pounds for charities.

The 10km round-the-town race in Woodbridge attracted capacity entries of 500 men and women for the senior race and 150 for the junior race.

The races took place yesterday in favourable weather conditions for runners while hundreds of people lined the course to cheer them on.

Four of the runners on the two-lap course swapped their running kit for nurses' outfits to raise money for St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich.

Ollie Hatcher and John Grave carried a stretcher while Mrs Hatcher's twin 15-year-old daughters Bonnie and Jo Hatcher ran with collection buckets.

Mrs Hatcher and John Grave's wife, Linda, are aiming to raise enough funds to cover one week's care at the hospice. They have targeted the London Marathon, the Woodbridge 10k, the Marathon du Medoc and the Hospices Trek to Peru to raise £12,250.

Also taking part in yesterday's race was a team of 14 teachers and parents from Cedarwood Primary School, Kesgrave. Their ages ranged from 28 to 50 and their aim was to raise more than £1,000 to buy books for the library.

This was the 22nd race organised by Woodbridge Shufflers running club. Secretary Jean Cox told the packed crowds in the Market Hill: ''The race has been absolutely wonderful. We have had great support as we always do. We look on it as a Woodbridge event that we want to continue at all costs. This is the 22nd year and every year it seems to get more and more popular.''

Members of Woodbridge Shufflers enjoyed the opportunity of competing on their home course and the race was won by Woodbridge's David Miller in 33mins 17seconds. Woodbridge Shufflers was the second affiliated team, behind Ipswich Jaffa, and Woodbridge School was the first unaffiliated team. Maria Davis, of Ipswich Jaffa, was the first woman in a time of 40.02.

The sponsors included Ipswich Building Society, Brafe Engineering, the Woodbridge Complementary Health Centre, John Grose and the Suffolk Nuffied Hospital.