A COURSE record was smashed as runners flocked to the Worcester half and full marathon run by Tempo Events for the sixth year.

The growing contest involving 1,012 finishers overall was based from Sixways Stadium and the 26.219-mile distance took in the surrounding rural roads starting from Offerton Lane.

All finishers received a medal and T-shirt with some of the entry fees and other donations going to charity St Richard’s Hospice.

Competitors tackled undulating sections with Coventry Godiva Harriers’ Daniel Clarke winning the marathon in two hours 37 minutes 36 seconds.

Worcester Athletic Club’s Adam Pollock was fifth in 3.02.54 and Mike Jeavons seventh in 3.04.17.

The half distance saw a course record set by victor David Webb from Telford in 1.10.04 as he finished nearly eight minutes ahead of second place.

Worcester club Black Pear Joggers were out in force with 49 in the half marathon and 13 the full distance.

Neil Laurenson was fourth in the half marathon in 1.21.30 and Chris Attwood 10th in 1.24.59.

Mick Kennish-Ward and Chris Mabbit-Bromage ran together with the latter achieving a personal best of 1.51.36.

Kidderminster’s Luan Wall helped her friend Lucy Dawkins around her first full marathon course.

Derek Jackson was a guide runner for Pershore Plums’ Lee Greatbatch as he set a PB while the determined Alison Law completed her first marathon.

The runners were all kept going by the support of the many marshals and race director Sarah Bland.

All of the pictures are available at yourraceday.co.uk.

OTHER TOP BLACK PEAR TIMES

Marathon: 12 Jay Warner 3.10.34, 47 Sven Rouse 3.36.31, 52 Tony Colclough 3.39.44, 60 Neil Devereux 3.44.24, 62 Lorraine Griffiths 3.44.55, 66 David Jones 3.47.43, 77 Sophie Booth 3.53.37, 78 Jeremy Jones 3.53.37, 169 Mark Rose 4.38.07, 195 Roger Stockman 5.01.14, 197 Ian Wild 5.06.38.

Half marathon: 15 Scott Collison 1.26.55, 19 Alan Southwick 1.28.18, 20 Clive Griffiths 1.28.24, 32 Darrin Lynn 1.32.06, 64 Richard Drewett 1.38.46, 73 Mike Lane 1.39.24, 74 Christopher Little 1.39.27, 90 Neil Herron 1.41.11, 96 Howard Thompson 1.41.50, 125 Graham Hutchings 1.44.53, 131 Gareth Lewis 1.45.21, 135 Matthew Rendall 1.45.34.