RACE organiser Run North West is celebrating after its first Wilmslow Festive 10k saw 1,250 runners take part.

Participants of all abilities braved the cold weather on Sunday, December 4, to run from Wilmslow to Mobberley and back, raising money and collecting toys for the Cash for Kids charity in the process.

Andrew Whittingham, race director at Run North West, told the Guardian: “It was a great community event, we were really keen to encourage people to get outdoors and get running.

“There was a great collection for Cash for Kids and we are really grateful to those who donated toys and raised money on the day.

“People took part dressed as Santa, dressed as elves – we even had a man dressed like an angel with a halo attached to his costume.

“We also had a more serious race where some of the country’s best runners took part, and the course really lived up to its billing.”

Among the most successful runners taking part were Matthew Clowes, the fastest man posting a time of 29 minutes 55 seconds, and Faye Fullerton, the fastest women at 34 minutes 27 seconds.

More than 100 marshals volunteered on the day to help the event run smoothly, and residents cooperated with a number of road closures while the race took place.

Andrew said: “We’d really like to thank residents for their patients on the day, it was the first time we run the event and there were road closures.

“We handed out 5,000 leaflets to people to make them aware about it, but we’re really grateful for the way the event was received.”

Run North West is currently working on its plans for 2017, including the Alderley Bypass Run.