ATHLETES, club runners and fun-runners put their best foot forward for the annual Darlington 10k race.

There were record entries for this year's event, the 28th in its history, with more than 1,800 runners lining up to take part in the main race.

This year saw the return of the junior 3k race, which was also popular, with more than 160 runners.

After the conclusion of the family fun run and junior race, aimed at those aged between eight and 14 – which was won by Jake Stephenson, of Richmond and Zetland Harriers, in a time of 10:09 – it was time for the main event.

Darlington mayor Tom Nutt sounded an air horn to start the main race at 10.30am, with the first runners crossing the finishing line on High Row little over half an hour later.

First past the finishing post was 21-year-old Marc Scott, from Northallerton, whose time of 30:42 was 36 seconds off the course record posted in 2011.

Scott, also a member of Richmond and Zetland Harriers, said: "I ran it two years ago and came third, so I was back with a vengeance this year.

"I wanted to win. There was a good pack for the first 8K. Then I tried to put in a few surges and break a few off. I gave it a good push with a kilometre to go."

Scott, who is three years into a scholarship at the University of Tulsa, in the US, hopes to turn professional when he completes his degree in sports and exercise science.

Middlesbrough-based Wondiye Fikre Indelbu, winner for the previous two years, could only manage fourth place this time out, with a time of 31:11.

Afterwards, he expressed his disappointment and said a lack of training had been to blame, while hinting that he will aim to come back stronger in 2016.

He said: "My training was not good enough and I have not done enough.

"The winning time is not especially fast, but I could not keep up with the increase of speed in the last kilometre.

"We will see what happens next time."

Phil Haymer, event officer for Darlington Borough Council, said organising the race had been hectic but enjoyable, adding that he was looking forward to another successful race.

Last year, runner Kate Avery set a course record as the fastest-ever woman to take part.

The first woman across the line this year was Justina Heslop, of Elswick Harriers, in a time of 34:45 to claim 23rd place overall.

Second and third place went to Tadele Geremew Mulugeta and Carl Smith, with times of 30:48 and 30:55 respectively.

There was some drama at the end of the main race when a runner fell with just a few metres to go.

He recovered to finish with a split lip and was wheeled away afterwards for treatment by volunteers from St John Ambulance, who were standing by a short distance away.