MORE THAN 250 runners of all ages turned out at the weekend for the return of the Crossways Schools Fun Run.

This year’s event featured the same course as last year’s inaugural event, with 5km for everyone, 1km for small children and even a 250m toddle for the smallest competitors of the day.

Competitiveness was not lacking despite the exceedingly hot weather, resulting in course records from 2017 being smashed, with a new 5km fastest time of 19 minutes and 37 seconds set by John Evans.

Aside from Mr Evans, the other notable times included fastest female Kate Balman, with 23 minutes, 13 seconds, fastest youth 11-year-old Becky Longman with 24 minutes and 11 seconds, fastest junior Max Bennett, nine, with 22 minutes and 22 seconds and fastest infant Ethan Lansdown, seven, with 26 minutes, 26 seconds.

Proving he wasn’t a single-distance runner, Max Bennett was also the fastest junior over the 1km, with Ruben Domone the fastest infant.

The fundraising event has so far collected more than £800 that will go directly to the school.

Event co-organiser Emma Aitken-Jones said: “It was a lovely family event bringing together the children, families, school staff and community to have a fun filled morning enjoying running, with just the right amount of competition!

“We had some fantastic personal efforts from infants through to the adults, last year the children had a reinvigorated interest in running after the event, I really hope the same happens this year.”

Presenting trophies for the 5km race, Derek Baker, president of Thornbury Rotary Club commented when presenting trophies, it is events like this that make Thornbury so special.

The organisers have added ‘a huge thank you’ to their sponsors GKN Aerospace, MBDA Systems, Milburys, Thornbury Rotary Club, Thornbury Round Table, Bloor Homes, Redcliffe Removals and Thornbury Running Club.