THOUSANDS of pounds are expected to be raised for charity as record numbers of runners took to the streets in one of the region's longest-running road races.

More than 1,100 athletes took part in the Sherwoods Chevrolet Darlington 10k yesterday, with many more participating in the junior run and fun run held before the main event.

Once again, local favourite Martin Scaife took the honours - the fifth time he has won the race in the past seven years.

The 35-year-old Great Britain international, from Darlington, who runs for North York Moors AC, completed the course in 31mins 07 secs - 46 seconds off the record.

Twenty-three year old Claire Robson, from West Auckland, County Durham, successfully defended her women's title.

The former Barnard Castle School pupil, who runs for Teesdale AC, finished the race with a personal best of 36min 57secs.

The junior run was won by 15-year-old Sunderland Harrier Liam Wintrip, from Peterlee. He overtook Darlington Harrier Chris Gaffney, also 15, on the line to take first position.

Liam said: "This is the first time I entered the race. I just thought I'd give it a go and see how I got on. I saw Chris ahead of me as we were coming in to the finish and went for it. I'm really pleased to have won."

Miss Robson has just returned from a two-year sports scholarship at Boston University in the US.

She said: "I've only entered this twice and I'm delighted to have won it both times.

"I've never gone under 37 minutes before, so it was good to get a personal best as well.

"There were a couple of girls running with me at the start and then I broke away and started running with the men."

All the money raised by the race will go to the St Teresa's Butterflies campaign - a counselling service for children who lose a loved one to a terminal illness.

Ian Whitfield, a community fundraiser for the hospice, said: "This is a very important event for us and we're very grateful to the council, the Rotary Club and the sponsors who support us."

Jeff Dawson, Darlington Borough Council's events manager, said: "It's gone really well. We've had another record entry with just over 1,120 runners, which is terrific."