A RECORD breaking May Mile had more than 400 entrants raising more than £1,500 for Youth Action Wiltshire.

Tots as young as five months were involved in the children’s races on Sunday at the grounds of Sheldon and Hardenhuish schools in Chippenham and students from the schools conducted the mile’s warm up.

The sun shone on the event, now in its sixth year, and 12-year-old Rory Howorts, from Team Bath AC, was the fastest runner with a new May Mile record of five minutes and one second.

Founder Zoe Rucker, who works in learning support at Sheldon School, said: “We have totally blown the top of all our records this year.

“It was such an inspirational morning for everyone involved, it was an amazing feeling. I even had teenagers come up who want to get involved with organising next year’s mile.

“After all the money has come in I hope to be able to give between £1,500 and £1,700 to YAW, meaning that the mile will have given the charity over £5,000 since it started."

Mrs Rucker, 44, from Bromham, said more sponsorship this year allowed her to invest in better kit for the event.

The mile was sponsored by PFP Leisure and Park Lane Practice, Wiltshire Concrete, City Dressing, Abundant Sun, Whitehall Garden Centre, Purple House, Sporting Billy, The Doodle Studio and Beauty for Everyone.

Mrs Rucker said: “The sponsors invest not only money but also a belief in the May Mile. They are all local companies and without their genuine generosity the May Mile wouldn’t exist.”

All results from the day are online at www.maymile.co.uk