Hilary Walker is the founder of the event which began some eight years ago and has grown in success year on year.

Starting with just 40 runners in 2001, this year saw 106 participants warm up at the start line in the 2km race alone.

The weather on the day stayed more in accordance with the runners’ preference as competitors were greeted with an amiable cool but dry day – unlike the disagreeable, spectator-friendly, baking heat of previous years.

Hilary’s small team, affiliated with St Hilda’s Church PCC and the Whitby and Loftus Athletics Club, were thanked for their help and support. So too were the local people who marshalled or simply cheered the runners along on the day.

Many local businesses, hotels and public houses sponsored the event, giving a valuable prize list for the competitors.

The results of the fun run (2km) were: ladies: 1 Grace Rodgers, 2 Shannon Parkin, 3 Beth Mead; men: 1 Josh Schofield, 2 Nathan Parker, 3 Jack Jordan.

The 10km race results were: men: 1 Danny Schofield, 2 Chris Dunn; ladies: 1 Helena Schofield, 2 Julie Mastrolonardo; Veterans, men: 1 Dave Horness; ladies: Pippa Smith; unattached, men: 1 Paul Smith, 2 Simon Shepherd; women: 1 Fiona Clacherty, 2 Janet Kelly.

In the fancy dress class, a strong crew of land-loathing pirates stood out in the 2km race and a small army of ladybirds fluttered among the 10km pack.