In pictures: Runners take on returning Maidenhead Half Marathon

Runners pounded the pavements of Maidenhead as the popular Half Marathon returned to the town after four years on Sunday.

The event, revived by running events company RunThrough, saw more than 2,000 participants (some in fancy dress) line-up at the start on The Moor at 9am, ready to take on the 13.1-mile run. 

Maidenhead MP Josh Reynolds was on hand to sound the air horn to set the runners off on a two-lap course, featuring a mixture of town centre sections and countryside stretches.

The event village on The Moor featured several stalls and a stage where a warm-up was being led, ahead of the start of the half marathon.

A recovery zone was available, as well as a stall offering medal engraving.

Attendees could also pick up a drink from the coffee stalls and enjoy some breakfast treats by Bombay Story and F&T Fast Food.

The event raised funds and awareness for Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, which supports children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions and their families across the area.

The hospice had set up a stall at the event and were meeting people and supporting the 50 Alexander Devine runners taking part. 

There was lots of cheering as the first runner Oliver Way made it back to The Moor, in a time of one hour, seven minutes and 15 seconds.

In the male category, runners Henry Hart and Isaac Farnworth followed closely behind, with times of one hour, seven minutes and 22 seconds and one hour, nine minutes and 30 seconds respectively.

In the female category, Ruby Woolfe took first place with a time of one hour, 19 minutes and 25 seconds.

She was closely followed by Catherine Oγçöconnor and Ania Gabb, with times of one hour, 22 minutes and 50 seconds and one hour, 23 minutes and 58 seconds respectively.

All runners were awarded with medals after they crossed the finish line.

An awards ceremony was also held on stage, where Josh Reynolds MP presented trophies and goodie bags to the top three runners in the male and female categories.

Speaking on the day, Blake Goosen, events manager for RunThrough, said: “They [the runners] were really quick.

“We had one of our other events managers running today and he came through in the top ten.

“I chatted to him and a couple [of] other top ten runners and they said it was amazing.

“They said even though it was two laps for the main course, they said it was fast, it was open, they said it was really, really awesome.”

Reflecting on the event, he added: “I thought it was amazing.

“[It’s an] incredible job by everybody behind the scenes.”

Hannah Pickup, community fundraiser at Alexander Devine, said: “It’s absolutely incredible that we are the partner charity.”

“I think being a Maidenhead-based charity, it’s really lovely to have that visibility."

Hannah explained that the money raised is ‘absolutely vital’, especially coming up to the Christmas period.

She added: “We want to be able to support our families as much as possible, over the winter, [and] to give them really special Christmas memories.”