FITNESS fanatics put themselves through the paces of the annual Leukaemia Research fun run in blistering heat on Sunday at Bromsgrove Rugby Club on Finstall Road.

More than 500 entrants, the best ever turn out and double the number of runners from last year, meant that organiser Nicole Harris could announce £3,500 had been raised from the entries.

And when the sponsorship money pours in, as much as £10,000 could have been raised.

The 26C heat did not stop Bromsgrove Athletic Club's Richard Malin and Rowena Bales turning up the temperature themselves and steaming past the finish line as the winners of the 10km run.

The fit pair won year long memberships at the Hilton Bromsgrove's Living Well Health Club.

Nigel Davey, of Bromsgrove, and Lauren Woodwiss took the gold for the 5km run around the pretty towpath at Tardebigge.

All participants are asked to drag their aching limbs down to NatWest in High Street and pay in their sponsorship money with the forms provided in their packs.