HUNDREDS of runners braved the searing heat to take part in the Crowle 10k today.

The 'Crowle Gunpowder Plot 10k' certainly lived up to its explosive name with every kind of drama from painful falls to lightening fast sprint finishes.

As well as the main 10k event, hundreds also took part in the less challenging one mile and quarter-mile fun runs at the annual community event.

Two runners taking on the 10k challenge collapsed, one as he neared the finish line and another just as he crossed it, during a gruelling but rewarding race on Sunday.

The first runner to collapse was well ahead of most of the rest of the field and within sight of the finish line when he began to stagger and fell.

Despite his determination to finish, in the end he could not continue and volunteers from St John Ambulance tended to him until paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service arrived.

Soon afterwards another runner who had only just crossed the line collapsed.

The Worcester News understands the first man was an experienced runner but had suffered severe dehydration in the punishing heat while the second man suffered a knee injury.

The event is expected to raise £7,000 for the Crowle Parish Hall and Recreation Trust.

In total 126 runners entered the children's fun run, 55 the one mile run for under 16s and 555 the 10k (shy of last year's record of 649 entrants).

However, it was a record for the number of parishoners taking part, 14 years after the inaugural run showing that the village has taken the event to its heart.

One of the organisers, Ali McIndoe, said it was 'a village event' which supported the community.

Crowle Pre-School ran the tombola and the bouncy castle, the church organised the barbecue, the WI manned the cake stall and the bowls club managed the car park with villagers also acting as race marshals.

Mrs McIndoe said: "The charity ploughs the funds back into the village and the up-keep of the facilities.

"It's a rite of passage for the children to complete the fun run and move up to the one mile run.

"The weather has helped. The last couple of years it has been dry but cold."

This year's sponsors who have donated prizes for runners include Flogas, Halls estate agents, Boughton Fuel Oils and Select Physio and Exclusive Gym.

Around 15 running clubs took part, including close to 100 from the Black Pear Joggers and 22 from the Malvern Joggers.

Among the Black Pear Joggers was Worcester city Green councillor Neil Laurenson who was among the leading runners, a spring in his step following his election win for St Stephen ward last week.

With him was wife Rachel and children Grace, six, and Rowan, four.