HUNDREDS of runners thoroughly deserved their race medals after competing in the Wallingford 10k organisers said.

Mayor Ros Lester fired the pistol to start runners for the 9th annual run, and 446 people crossed the finish line.

The overall winner was Paul Jegou, of White Horse Harriers, who ran the course in 35 mins and 33 seconds.

Organiser James Hooper said: “About 90 per cent of the runners were from Oxfordshire.

“The conditions were tough with it being so hot.

“Everyone who ran deserved their medal at the end of the event.”

Proceeds from the Howbery Park run will be split between Cancer Research UK and Crowmarsh Primary School’s PTA, towards an outdoor classroom.