RECORD crowds cheered on hundreds of runners in the Kirkbymoorside 10k on Sunday.

Organisers said the race day was busier than ever with a fantastic atmosphere in the town as the crowds gathered to enjoy the day’s events.

PICTURE GALLERY: http://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/pics/galleries/kirkbymoorside_10k_2016/

The race event got underway with the children’s dash with 114 youngsters taking in the one-mile race showcasing the talents of the local school pupils.

James Bowsher, from Kirkbymoorside, was the first local boy coming home in third place overall. First local girl back was Rebekah Hogg finishing 22nd overall.

Altogether 22 runners started the 4k race. Toby Antcliff, from Ryedale School, finished first on a time of 14.07. The first local girl was Martha Carlton-Seal with a time of 15.24.

After the Tour de Yorkshire swept through town, 322 runners set off on the 10k, with Nev Watson, from Scarborough AC, being first over the line in 34.02, followed by James Oldfield and Paul Butler.

The first female runner was Hannah Oldroyd in 37.31 with Rhona Haslam second and Kim Simpson third.

First male and female local runners were Stephen Rowntree with a time of 37.53 and Rachel Strickland with a time of 46.54. Both runners received a family voucher from the Lemon Tree and a bottle of Kirkby Moor Cider.

The event organisers from Kirkbymoorside and Gillamoor Primary Schools and Ryedale School said were delighted with the huge level of support .

Race director Dave Pearson said: "We would particularly like to thank the three major sponsors of the 10k race; NSF-Health Sciences, The Lion Inn at Blakey and Kitching Walker Solicitors.

"We would also like to thank all the other local companies who generously supported the event.

“I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s event which ran like clockwork due to the army of volunteers who come out to help before, during and after the races. This is a great community event.”