Rain fails to dampen spirits of 10k run

AND they’re off . . . competitors at the start of the Oldham 10k run

RUNNERS braved the elements for the Oldham 10K run yesterday.

Five hundred athletes battled the wind and rain as they set off from High Street shortly after 9.30am.

People lined the street as Oldham Mayor Councillor John Hudson, sent the runners off to Shaw and back.

The crowds cheered as winner Andi Jones (34) raced to the finish line just over 30 minutes in to the event.

The Rochdale teacher and experienced runner said: “It is really pleasing to have won in such tough conditions.

Race organiser Alan Keane, of Milltown races and Oldham Community Leisure, said: “After the success of last year’s half-marathon we wanted to create something that more people could get involved in.”

The race was followed by the sixth annual Run4Fun event, in which around 40 adults and children raced around the town centre.

Each competitor in the 10K and Run4Fun events received a medal.