HUNDREDS put on their running shoes for the Leigh Community 10K yesterday, Sunday.

A total of 695 people signed up for the event which is now in its third year.

It was won for the second year running by Mike Cayton, from Horwich, who finished the course in 30 minutes and 40 seconds.

The first woman past the finishing line was Leigh Harriers’ Olivia Stones who passed the post at 37 minutes and 32 seconds.

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Astley and Tyldesley Road Runners

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Leigh Harriers

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Atherton Running Club

Race starter for the Leigh Community 10K was Joe Davies, 75, from Tyldesley.

He is a regular user of the Oak Centre day service at Wigan and Leigh Hospice, the main charity partner for the event.

Joe fired the starting pistol at 9.30am to set the runners off on two laps of Leigh town centre.

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Joe Davies started the race

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Anthony Shorrock

Among those taking part was Anthony Shorrock, 43, from Leigh.

He said: “I raised money last year for the hospice at the Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride but I couldn’t do it this year so I decided to do the Leigh 10K instead.

"I have relatives who have had cancer and I think the hospice is a really good charity in helping people at the end of life.”

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Paula Longworth, from Hindley, and Christine Edwardson, community fundraiser for Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Paula Longworth, 41, from Hindley, dressed as a unicorn and won the fancy dress prize of 12 months’ gym membership.

She said: “I like to be the fun element so I’m always in fancy dress!

"I usually go to about six or seven races in fancy dress every year.

"I like doing the Leigh 10K because the hospice is a local charity and I know about the amazing work that takes place on a regular basis.”

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Matt Jackson

Matt Jackson, 27, from Leigh, said: “I ran it in about 47 minutes, but for me it’s been about raising money for a good cause and having fun running with my family.”

The Leigh Community 10k is sponsored by Eldercare, Tesco and Wigan Council Waste Management.

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Steven Shovelton, 37, from Leigh, and Phil Griffiths, 33, from Leigh

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Emily Monks, 17, from Leigh

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Olivia Stones

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Praise has been given to Ben and Paul who provided the warm-up and the event pacesetters who were staff and volunteers from Inspiring healthy lifestyles.

Special thanks also go to John Stringer and the 31 members of the Leigh Rotary Club who attended in the rain to marshal the event.

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Jon Massey, 29, from Lowton

The Leigh Community 10K is a collaboration between Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Wigan Council, Inspiring healthy lifestyles, Fylde Coast Runners, Leigh Harriers Athletics Club, the Rotary Club of Leigh, Time2Run Events and Nectar.