MORE than one thousand runners spent the hottest day of the year so far pounding the streets in aid of a Hereford hospice.

It is hoped that funds from Sunday's Hereford Half Marathon, which also includes 10K and 5K runs, will top £50,000 for Bartestree-based St Michael's Hospice.

Katherine Williams from Ross-on-Wye, who ran with friend Kim Pope, was inspired to take part in the 5K run as a way of saying 'thank you' to the Hospice nurses who cared for her mum, Elisabeth, after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in October 2012.

She said: "It has been emotional taking part. This time last year I was with my mum in the Hospice. I had planned to run the 5K then, but I didn't want to be too far away from mum, so I ran the event at the Hospice on the treadmill in the physiotherapy room.

"Mum died the next day. To be here a year later and to have already raised £3,000 for St Michael's is overwhelming. I am very proud to be part of a very special day."

Event sponsors Western Power Distribution entered a team. One of their runners, Martin Randall, who lives in King's Thorn, said: "The Half Marathon is a great event, helps burn off some calories and makes you feel good.

"This is the fourth time I have taken part and it's getting better every year. Members of my family have used the Hospice, so this is one event that I am very happy to train for and do my bit to support the Hospice."

The Half Marathon was won in a time of 1:18:18 by Stephen Reid from Basingstoke & Mid Hants Athletic Club, with Gemma Mallett of Croft Ambrey Running Club finishing as the fastest woman with a time of 1:29:18.

The 10K was won in a new record time of 32:57 by Adam Bull of Aberdare Athletic Club. Georgie Prior, from Black Pear Joggers, finished as the fastest female in a time of 42:53.

Lukasz Medesczyk finished first in the 5K with a time of 18:28, and Josef Godfrey was the fastest Under 15-year-old to finish the 5K with a time of 20:24.

Hospice events manager Matt Ashcroft said: "We would like to thank all the volunteers who have helped us organise the event, the runners who braved the heat and the people who have sponsored them."