HUNDREDS of men and boys pulled on a pair of blue underpants and ran around Worcester Racecourse for the charity race Go Dad Run.

Around 350 took part in this year's event, the third of its kind, to raise money and awareness for men's health.

The event was first set up by retired athlete and Olympian Colin Jackson and is due to be held at seven places across the UK this year, with Worcester so far attracting the most support.

Mr Jackson was at Pitchcroft on Sunday to pose for pictures with runners and present the medals as they finished.

He said: "It's brilliant to return back to Worcester.

"Go Dad Run has been growing slowly but surely in this area, it's brilliant to see so many guys here.

"We want to get the message out to people to raise awareness for all men's health issues, whether mental or physical."

Mr Jackson said he and his sister came up with the idea after two uncles suffered from prostate cancer.

He said: "The one didn't say anything, suffered in silence, and died.

"The one who was vocal survived and survived well.

"We wanted to get guys in this environment to feel quite comfortable.

"There are young lads here and this message will get to them and it will make it easier for them to get to the doctors when they have any issues.

"It will save lives."

The event has now become a male equivalent of the popular Race for Life, where families and friends run together.

Runners are asked to support charities Prostate Cancer UK, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and Orchid as well as local charity St Richard's Hospice.

They can choose to run either 5K or 10K routes, although some runners said the course was marked incorrectly making the distances further.

VIDEO: 5K runners set off

VIDEO: 10K runners set off

Among the runners were Simon Davey, from Eckington, running with son, Finn, 10, Steve Leighfield from Birlingham, running with William, 10, and Charlie, seven, and Ken Butler from Drakes Broughton.

Mr Davey said it was important for men to open up about any problems.

He said: "My grandfather died of prostate cancer and he was only 62. We need to swallow our pride a bit."

The winner of the 5K was 15-year-old James Dale from Warndon Villages, Worcester, who ran it in 20 minutes 16 seconds, comfortably beating dad Paul, who was also taking part and who finished after 30.08.

They were cheered on at the event by James's sister Amy and mum Julia, who said: "It's a lovely atmosphere here."

Francesco Cornacchia, from Malvern, was first to cross the 10K finishing line after 42.13, although the keen Malvern Buzzards running group member said he believed he had run closer to 11.5K.

He said: "It's been really amazing seeing the dads and the children.

"People running regardless of their skills or levels of fitness.

"It's not for our own PB it's for a cause so it's fun."

VIDEO: James Dale crosses the finish line first for 5K runners

VIDEO: Francesco Cornacchia wins 10K run at Go Dad Run